Waitangi Day

These photos are of a Māori waka taua (double-hulled war canoe). The facial tattoos (ta moko) represent whakapapa (genealogy) and express both individual and iwi (tribal) identity. The shell eyes are meant to intimidate, representing eyes that never shut.

The canoe is located in Waitangi, where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between British settlers and Māori chiefs on February 6, 1840. The Treaty established a British governor in New Zealand, recognised Māori ownership of their lands and other properties, and gave Māori the rights of British subjects. However, there are two versions of the Treaty - Māori and English - each with significantly different interpretations, resulting in many misunderstanding.

Until the 1970's the New Zealand courts and parliament had largely ignored the Treaty (and many adults have learned in school that it was signed as a "benevolent" act on the part of the Crown). Today, it is generally regarded as the founding document of New Zealand (Aotearoa) as a nation, but there is much ongoing debate over the extent to which it is truly honoured.