Your Presence is requested
New Zealand’s new Prime Minister, Bill English, made headlines during the last days in a way John Key couldn’t have done better (or worse):
He announced he would not visit the ceremonies on Waitangi Day, because it wasn’t relevant anymore to show up.
But wait, what’s Waitangi Day?
Waitangi Day marks the historical event of New Zealand and its’ Maori popuplation becoming part of the British Empire in 1840, when the eponymous treaty was signed on February 6th and in result carried around great parts of the islands to reach as many Maori Chiefs as possible. The treaty, wich was formulated in english and in maori language aswell ( with recignizable and until today disputed differences in both translations) guaranteed the native New Zealanders ( The Maori) souvereignity over their land and gave them full citizen rights.
Celebrations of Waitangi as it is known today began in the early 20th century, since then Maori and New Zealanders used the Event to come together and establish a nationwide dialogue.
Waitangi day ultimately became (after a short period when it was called New Zealand Day)
THE national day of a unified New Zealand, regardless of origin and language, and is celebrated not only in New Zealand but in England, Australia and other commonwealth countries with a significant Kiwi-population aswell
But there is a big problem underlying:
While the Maori population has and is handling this treaty of Waitangi as a sacred oath, the New Zealanders of european descent over the years often tried to nullify or ignore parts of the contract, especially in the regard of land.
This led to another tradition around Waitangi: On this February the 2nd, many New Zealanders of Maori Descent try to raise attention to issues where they see the treaty not fullfilled or feel discriminated against. The level of protest and the growing frustration of the Maori population about many social issues and their neglection has risen over the years, wich led to considerations of redating the national day, relocating the official festivities (wich led to even more protests) and even prime ministers not participating out of security reasons- there were many more or less harmless “attacks” on government officials, like thrown sex toys.
But Bill English now has decided that the protests on Waitangi are irrelevant and, in his own words, cringeworthy. He does not see any reason for the Maori to protest at all and is not willing to attend the convent of Maori Elders traditionally held on Waitangi.
It may be this kind of, as we in germany say “basta”-politics, going over the heads of many many voters and citizens and declaring their issues irrelevant and even embarassing, that opens the doors for populist demagogues. It’s easy: if the “established” politicians don’t see any reason to listen to their citizens, those people will gladly take it from them
