On 6th of February we have another public holiday here in New Zealand. It’s called Waitangi Day and is to celebrate the signing of the treaty of Waitangi where over five hundred Maori chiefs signed what is called New Zealand’s founding document. Around forty chiefs signed the document on the 6th of Feb 1840 and by the end of that year five hundred had signed. Basically, the treaty made New Zealand a part of the British Empire, guaranteed Maori rights to their land and gave them rights as British citizens.
Recently Waitangi Day has become a day where the treaty is hotly debated and the application of it in modern day comes into dispute. Since this is also an election year in New Zealand the heated barbs between the political parties have started already.
I, like many New Zealanders, treat the day as a holiday and have never visited the celebrations they have in Waitangi, which is north of Auckland. Mr. Munro is going to play golf. I hope it rains because this heat and the resulting drought is killing me. The little dog is looking miserable as well with the heat. I intend to do some writing and relax with Red Garnier’s upcoming release Amatista.
And here’s a tip for the day, for those who need some help with promo. Check out the Promo-ho.com blog for some great tips.
Edited to add: I’m a guest blogger over at the Cata Network today and my topic is The Language of Flowers. Read my blog here.
I also have a smooch up at Ecataromance for Playing to Win.
Hey Shell! Happy Waitangi day! I love holidays but don’t usually go to festivities either . . . maybe it’d be fun to try.
by Red February 4th, 2008 at 8:07 amI very seldom attend festivites on holidays either.
by Estella February 4th, 2008 at 3:07 pmEnjoy your holiday.
by Jane February 4th, 2008 at 4:14 pmThanks! As I said, I have a very lazy day scheduled.
by Shelley Munro February 4th, 2008 at 4:29 pmLazy days are the best kind of days. We had one on the weekend and I have to say I’m ready for another one already LOL.
by Christine d'Abo February 4th, 2008 at 4:54 pmHave fun! I love lazy days.
by Lillian Feisty February 4th, 2008 at 5:17 pmWhen we were in NZ, we went to the sound and light exhibition at Waitangi, and another one near Rotarua. At the same time, I was reading Michael King’s very scholarly work on NZ history, so I had some comparison. It made it more interesting, but I agree, buying into current arguments is best left to others and the truth is the first casualty.
by Amy Gallow February 4th, 2008 at 6:12 pmI had a break from house maintenace and watering systems for a few days, but it’
s back to work for me.
Cheers
Amy
Thanks for the link to the Promo-ho.com, and I checked out your language of flowers post and your smooch post! It’s funny how flowers used to be such an eloquent secret language. Now I’d say it’s become a strictly visual means of expressing emotion.
Your excerpt was delicious!
by julia February 4th, 2008 at 8:40 pmI’m glad you enjoyed the excerpt, Julia! I’ve been writing a press release and found the Promo Ho site really helpful.
by Shelley Munro February 4th, 2008 at 9:49 pmHappy Waitangi Day!!
I wish I could send you some of our rain. Here it is - deepest depths of winter - and it’s thundering, lightning and pouring cats and dogs outside. Goodbye snow!
Enjoy Amatista. I sure did ;)
by Wylie February 4th, 2008 at 10:08 pmWish I could send you some rain too,I’m on the island on the other side of the world from you (HI) and it been raining here for weeks. I hope your holiday was relaxing. :)
by danette February 5th, 2008 at 2:05 amHugs, Danette
Amy G - I have visited Waitangi, since it is one of our historic places, but my visit didn’t coincide with the yearly celebration.
by Shelley Munro February 5th, 2008 at 6:06 pm