Waitangi Day at Government House

E te iwi whanui, tena koutou katoa. Nga hau e wha, e nga waka, e nga tai e wha, nga mihi nui ki a koutou.

Tangata whenua, all New Zealanders, friends and visitors from afar, a very warm welcome to you.  I am delighted that so many of you have chosen to commemorate our nation's birthday here at Government House.

February 6 2002 - Waitangi Day. Today is the one hundred and sixty second anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. It is a day that invites contemplation about what it means to be a New Zealander.

As I watched you all arriving here today, a single word entered my thoughts. Diversity.

In 2002, our historical tapestry is intricate and colourful. Our cultural and ethnic roots entwine the globe. And our daily lives reflect the varied and colourful traditions and activities of our diverse origins.

But our ancestors shared a common purpose - whether they arrived here in the 11th century by waka, or later by air. They all came in search of a better life, and to live in peace.

They have mixed, and married, and have traded traditions, adapting them to their new world. Over the centuries, they wove a tapestry of resilience, optimism, innovation and warmth - the New Zealander of today.

Our rich historical tapestry sits against a background of two predominant cultures - Maori and British. One hundred and sixty two years ago, some of those Maori ancestors agreed to share Aotearoa with the British monarchy, and signed the Treaty of Waitangi.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi, is no ordinary treaty. It is a short document, and sometimes there are difficulties in understanding its precise meaning - not least because the English and Maori versions differ.

Barely was the ink dry before its meaning and intent were questioned. It quickly became evident that the word "share" meant very different things to different people.

But it was an agreement between the Crown - Queen Victoria - and the Maori people.  It aspired to set the foundation of a lasting partnership between two peoples, and those who signed it at Waitangi and later in other parts of New Zealand had high hopes for the peaceful development of this beautiful country.  No other nation has a similar framework on which to build its future.

The Treaty set the course of our history in a way that none of its signatories could have imagined.  It has continued to excite the attention of both Maori and pakeha.  It will always have the significance of a founding document of this country.

As New Zealand continues to grow and to evolve as a nation we also continue to work through the legacy of the Treaty of Waitangi. We are working to build a place that delivers the promises made by both Treaty parties.

Once a year, on February 6, New Zealand pays special attention to the Treaty, and conducts a self-imposed assessment of its progress towards this mission.

Today, we acknowledge our achievements, as we share the goodwill and optimism that defines us.  We acknowledge also that, as a nation, we have not yet reached full maturity. Like adolescents, we listen, sometimes resentfully, to those who challenge us to move along the road in a more fair and equitable way.

We are all aware that, every year, debate plays a prominent role in the events of Waitangi Day. I do not view debate as a negative event. It is an essential activity for a democratic nation which continues to progress.

Debate and dissent are characteristics of a healthy young country forging its identity.

Indeed, our milestones to date in progressing Treaty issues are the direct result of decades of debate, and a willingness to listen. Other countries view such openness and debate with envy and admiration - they are not possible in all countries and they are universally acknowledged as tools of peace.

In the words of the Secretary-General of the United Nations:

"For there to be peace among nations, there must also be peace within them, among groups and individuals."  

As we move into this new decade, how can we best ensure the Treaty of Waitangi retains the respect due to a nation's founding document?

As our Maori population increases, and strives internally to define its expectations of the Treaty, we must all redouble our efforts to provide universal Treaty of Waitangi education.  Only when all New Zealanders understand the true history of the Treaty and its purpose can we progress towards a unified future.

The last two decades have seen considerable progress in this field. Young New Zealanders are now taught their history in a fairer, more objective fashion, rather than exclusively through the eyes of colonial settlers.

By doing this, we ensure all young New Zealanders understand the true impact of the Treaty document, and the events of the last 162 years.

And it is essential also to continue to nurture and celebrate the positive attributes of being New Zealanders - the warmth, the resilience, the goodwill and the integrity - so that we may all weather the journey this country has embarked upon.

We need to contemplate the Treaty of Waitangi, and our development as a nation, on the other 364 days a year as well. Such attention will hasten our journey to maturity.

And when the colours in our historical tapestry appear to clash, we must step back from it and take another long look. We will see that it is indeed a taonga of true beauty, worthy of completion.

I would also like to mention another important event that took place sadly on an anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. 

Fifty years ago today, King George passed away in England. 

His daughter Elizabeth, a direct descendant of Queen Victoria, succeeded him.  For half a century, she has taken great interest in the Treaty grounds and in the issues that have arisen around te Tiriti.  And shortly, as Queen of New Zealand, she will be in Aotearoa as part of the celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of her accession to the Throne.  This is another milestone in New Zealand's journey to maturity, as today we mark this truly remarkable Treaty between the Crown and the Maori people of Aotearoa. 

Thank you for coming here today to share in the commemorations of this special day.

No reira, kia ora koutou katoa.