Waitangi Day

February 6th is Waitangi Day - a day to celebrate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi (New Zealand's founding document, signed in 1840). The Treaty made New Zealand a part of the British Empire, guaranteed Māori rights to their land and gave Māori the rights of British citizens living in New Zealand. There are significant differences between the Māori and English language versions of the Treaty, and virtually since 1840 this has led to debate (and several court cases) over exactly what was agreed to at Waitangi. [source: Wikipedia]

The following photos and video are from events at Waitangi Park in Wellington. One of the greatest parts of living in Wellington is the range of music and cultural offerings in the city.

So many Polynesians have beautiful singing voices or musical talent, even if they cannot read music. They often times learn to sing in church. The second two videos are of an award-winning barbershop quartet based in Wellington - four guys who started singing together in high school and continue to do so while in university. Their singing has won them several awards and provided the opportunity to travel internationally. In a country where Polynesians are often treated as second-class citizens, it is really encouraging to see those that rise above and excel in ways that many of us couldn't achieve.

My apologies for my shaky hand at the camera and the wind interfering with the sound quality.



Musical Island Boys (Wellington-based Barbershop Quartet)