It's Time to Put Waitangi Events Behind Us - in Order to Move New Zealand to a "Celebratory" Mindset

As yet another Waitangi Day commemorative event approaches I cringe at the thought of enduring yet another round of conflict and uneasy attendance of politicians at Waitangi Day events around New Zealand. Hence this article.

I hereby move a motion for the whole concept of "Waitangi Day" to be reviewed by whatever organisation; to determine the justification for this public holiday to continue to be titled "Waitangi Day". With a view to re-title it "New Zealand Day" instead.

Here's why...

1. Despite the historical significance of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, this piece of our country's history is tainted with accounts (anecdotal and other) of the treaty signing having been anything but a transparent, honest and fair process. Consequently, current day ill feeling around this historic event remains prevalent among many Maori in particular (understandably).So why continue to pay homage to an historic event that has brought little (if any) joy to the lives of New Zealanders - both then and now ? Makes no sense at all.
2. New Zealand desperately needs a positive event on its calendar which "all" New Zealanders (irrespective of ethnicity, origin, gender, political persuasion, etc) feel that they "want" to CELEBRATE (versus endure). We need an event which binds us all together and halts our individual pursuits for a day to recognise the virtues of living a life in New Zealand and the positive aspects of what it means to be a New Zealander TODAY.
3. Let's take a page from the Australian book of life, and become openly PROUD of who we are as a nation - our values, sense of fairness, sense of "doing the right thing", and being independent and free to make choices as individuals that many countries simply don't have. I have been in Australia on "Australia Day" and I'd challenge any Kiwi to say that Australians don't CELEBRATE this national day with an exuberance seldom seen in most countries. Car horns are honked loudly and Australian flags fly in every direction that you move in on this day - it's an incredible spectacle, and I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of admiration for Australians acknowledging their special day in this manner - DESPITE ongoing race related issues that persist in some parts of that country. Very uplifting.
4. New Zealand has much to CELEBRATE. Including: the relative peace and harmony in which we all live. We don't live in a country that is constantly stressed by senseless violence and acute raging racism. We have a deep sense of "doing what is right, simply because it is the right thing to do". We are respectful. We are friendly. We value our natural environment and are careful with how we impact it. We are closely and strongly connected to our land and waterways.

So the pivotal question becomes...

Are we happy to go on commemorating an historic event that has brought little joy to the lives of New Zealanders; or do we say let's evolve (move on) from giving this past event so much attention and instead refocus on the "good things" that living in New Zealand means for us TODAY ?

I'm firmly about moving on to CELEBRATE the good things that we have going-on in our country TODAY.

Where do you stand ?