Waitangi Day: Difference between revisions

'''Waitangi Day''' ({{lang-mi|Te Rā o Waitangi}}{{--)}}, the [[national day]] of [[New Zealand]], marks the anniversary of the initial signing – onsigning—on 6 February 1840 – of1840—of the [[Treaty of Waitangi]],. whichThe isTreaty regardedof asWaitangi thewas foundingan documentagreement oftowards theBritish nation.sovereignty Theby firstrepresentatives Waitangiof Daythe was[[The notCrown|Crown]] celebratedand untilindigenous [[Māori people|Māori]] 1934chiefs, and itso wasis maderegarded aby nationalmany [[Publicas holidaysthe infounding Newdocument Zealand|publicof holiday]]the in 1974nation.

InWaitangi present-dayDay was first celebrated in 1934, and it was made a national [[Public holidays in New Zealand,|public theholiday]] in 1974. The anniversary is observedmarked annually on 6 February, and thea daypublic holiday is observed usuallyon recognisedthe asday, a public holidayor (if the date falls on a Saturday or Sunday then the following Monday is observed as the public holiday).<ref name="newshub_ph">{{Cite news |url=http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/syspages/--headline--.html |title= Extra public holidays voted in |date= 17 April 2013 |work= Newshub |access-date= 6 February 2018 |language= en}}</ref>

Ceremonies take place at [[Waitangi, Northland|Waitangi]] and elsewhere to commemorate the signing of the treaty. A variety of events are stagedheld, including parties, [[Māori people|Māori]] [[Hui (Māori assembly)|hui]] (social gatherings), reflections on [[History of New Zealand|New Zealand history]], official awards and citizenship ceremonies. The commemoration has also been the focus of protest by [[Māori protest movement|Māori activists]], and is occasionally the focus of controversy.

The [[Treaty of Waitangi]] ({{lang-mi |Te Tiriti o Waitangi}}) was first signed on 6 February 1840 on the grounds of [[James Busby]]'s house—now known as [[Treaty House]]—at [[Waitangi, Northland|Waitangi]], in the [[Bay of Islands]]. The treaty was signed by representatives acting on behalf of the British [[The Crown|Crown]] and, initially, by about 45 [[Māori people|Māori]] chiefs,.<ref name="colenso">{{cite book |title= The Authentic and Genuine History of the Signing of the Treaty of Waitangi |last= Colenso |first= William |author-link= William Colenso |year= 1890 |publisher= By Authority of George Didsbury, Government Printer |location= Wellington |url= http://www.waitangi.com/colenso/colhis1.html |access-date= 1 July 2018 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110816123405/http://www.waitangi.com/colenso/colhis1.html |archive-date=16 August 2011 }}</ref> Over the course of the next seven months, copies of the treaty were toured around the New Zealand archipelago by the British,<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/treaty-of-waitangi/page-1|access-date=19 February 2016|title=Creating the Treaty of Waitangi|encyclopedia=Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand | quote = Two army officers and thenseveral grewmissionaries were given responsibility for seeking agreement to overthe 500treaty Maorielsewhere chiefsin the country.}}</ref> and representativeseventually ofaround the540 BritishMāori Crownchiefs would sign.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last= Hampson|first= Laura|date= 2019-02-06|title= Waitangi Day 2019: How kiwis celebrate New Zealand's national day|url= https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/waitangi-day-when-new-zealand-national-day-treaty-kiwi-celebration-a4054271.html|access-date= 2021-03-29|website= www.standard.co.uk|language=en}}</ref> Over the course of the next seven months, copies of the treaty were toured around the country to give other chiefs the opportunity to sign.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/treaty-of-waitangi/page-1|access-date=19 February 2016|title=Creating the Treatyquote of Waitangi|encyclopedia=Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand}}</ref> "By the end of September, around 540 Maori chiefs had signed the Maori version of the Treaty and Britain claimed sovereignty on May 21, 1840."}}</ref name=":0" /> The signing had the effect of securing British sovereignty over the islands of New Zealand, which was officially proclaimed onby 21the May[[Governor-General 1840.<ref>{{citeof webNew Zealand|url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/treaty/theLieutenant-treaty-in-brief|access-date=10Governor Februaryof 2017|title=The Treaty in brief – Introduction|publisher=New Zealand]], History[[William – nzhistory.govt.nz}}Hobson]],</ref>

In 1932, [[Governor-General of New Zealand|Governor-General]] [[Charles Bathurst, 1st Viscount Bledisloe|Lord Bledisloe]] and his wife purchased and presented to the nation the run-down house of James Busby, where the treaty was initially signed. They subsequently donated {{GBP|500}} to restore the building. The Treaty House and grounds were made a public reserve, which was dedicated on 6 February 1934.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/4b39/bledisloe-charles-bathurst|access-date=8 February 2017|title=Story: Bledisloe, Charles Bathurst|encyclopedia=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand}}</ref> This event is considered to be the first Waitangi Day.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/treaty/waitangi-day|access-date= 9 February 2017|title= Waitangi Day – Introduction|publisher= New Zealand History – nzhistory.govt.nz}}</ref>

In 1940, another event was held at the grounds, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the treaty signing. The event was a success and helped raise the profile of the treaty and its day of observance in the national consciousness.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/treaty/waitangi-day/waitangi-day-1940s-50s|access-date= 8 February 2017|title= Waitangi Day 1940s–1950s|publisher= New Zealand History – nzhistory.govt.nz}}</ref>

Annual commemorations of the treaty signing began in 1947. The 1947 event was a [[Royal New Zealand Navy]] ceremony centring on a flagpole which the Navy had paid to erect in the grounds. The ceremony was brief and featured no Māori. The following year, a Māori speaker was added to the line-up, and subsequent additions to the ceremony were made nearly every year.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11583909|access-date=8 February 2017 |title= A brief history of Waitangi Day|date= 5 February 2016|work= The New Zealand Herald}}</ref> From 1952, the governor-general attended, and from 1958 the [[Prime Minister of New Zealand|prime minister]] also attended, although not every year. From the mid-1950s, a Māori cultural performance was usually given as part of the ceremony. Many of these early features remain a part of Waitangi Day ceremonies, including a naval salute,<ref name=NZDF>{{Cite press release|title=Navy to Have Large Presence at Waitangi|date=1 February 2018|publisher=New Zealand Defence Force|location=Wellington, New Zealand|url=http://www.nzdf.mil.nz/news/media-releases/2018/20180201-navy-to-have-large-presence-at-waitangi.htm|quote=The first part of the ceremony will be performed by the RNZN Band, while the Royal Guard of Honour marches into position. […] At sunset the Guard will present arms and a single evening gun will be fired from the RNZN ship HMNZS Canterbury, which will be anchored off the Treaty grounds. A bugler will play Sunset over the evening hymn, during which time the New Zealand White Ensign will be lowered.|access-date=20 March 2018|archive-date=16 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416142329/http://www.nzdf.mil.nz/news/media-releases/2018/20180201-navy-to-have-large-presence-at-waitangi.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> the Māori cultural performance (now usually a ''[[pōwhiri]]'', a ceremonial welcome), and speeches from a range of Māori and [[Pākehā]] (non-Māori) dignitaries.<ref>{{cite news |title=Politicians address iwi, hapū and whānau at the treaty grounds at Waitangi |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/408802/politicians-address-iwi-hapu-and-whanau-at-the-treaty-grounds-at-waitangi |access-date=27 April 2020 |work=[[RNZ]] |date=4 February 2020 |language=en-nz}}</ref>

The [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour Party]] stated in its 1957 election [[manifesto]] that it would make Waitangi Day a public holiday. After winning that year's election, the party said that the country could not afford another public holiday (see the [[Black Budget (New Zealand)|couldBlack not affordBudget]] another public holiday). The [[Waitangi Day Act]] 1960|Waitangi Day Act of 1960]] allowed localities to transfer the holiday from their existing regional public holiday to Waitangi Day.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://nzhistory.govt.nz/culture/the-1960s/1961-key-events|access-date= 8 February 2017|title=The 1960s – key events|publisher=New Zealand History – nzhistory.govt.nz}}</ref>

In 1963, after a change of government, the passing of the Waitangi Day Amendment Act transferred the holiday observed in [[Northland Region|Northland]] on [[Auckland Anniversary Day]] (the Monday closest to 29 January) to Waitangi Day, 6 February.<ref>{{Cite web|title= Waitangi Day {{!}} NZHistory, New Zealand history online|url= https://nzhistory.govt.nz/keyword/waitangi-day#:~:text=The%20Waitangi%20Day%20Act%201960,of%20the%20Treaty%20of%20Waitangi.&text=Waitangi%20Day,%20a%20public%20holiday,focus%20for%20M%C4%81ori%20protest%20activities.|access-date= 2021-03-29|website= nzhistory.govt.nz}}</ref> This made Waitangi Day a holiday in Northland only.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/treaty/waitangi-day/waitangi-day-1960s|access-date= 8 February 2017|title= Waitangi Day – Waitangi Day 1960s|publisher= New Zealand History – nzhistory.govt.nz}}</ref>

Waitangi Day became a nationwide public holiday on its observance in 1974 by first undergoing a name change. In 1971 the Labour [[shadow minister]] of [[Minister of Māori Affairs|Māori Affairs]], [[Matiu Rata]], introduced a [[private member's bill]] to make Waitangi Day a national holiday, to be called '''New Zealand Day'''<!--boldface per WP:R#PLA-->. This was not passed into law.<ref name="Waitangi Day 1970s">{{cite web|url= https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/treaty/waitangi-day/waitangi-day-1970s|access-date= 9 February 2017|title= Waitangi Day 1970s|publisher= New Zealand History – nzhistory.govt.nz}}</ref>

After the 1972 election of the [[Third Labour Government of New Zealand|third Labour government]] under Prime Minister [[Norman Kirk]], it was announced that from 1974, Waitangi Day would be a national holiday known as New Zealand Day.<ref name=NZoS73>{{Cite web|url= https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/new-zealand-day-at-waitangi-1974|title= New Zealand Day at Waitangi {{!}} Television {{!}} NZ On Screen|website= www.nzonscreen.com|language= en|others= NZ On Screen|access-date= 20 March 2018}}</ref> The [[New Zealand Day Act]] legislation was passed in 1973.<ref name="Waitangi Day 1970s"/> For Kirk, the change was simply an acceptance that New Zealand was ready to move towards a broader concept of nationhood. Diplomatic posts had for some years marked the day, and it seemed timely in view of the country's increasing role on the international stage that the national day be known as New Zealand Day.<ref name="Waitangi Day 1970s"/> At the 1974 commemorations, the [[Flag of New Zealand]] was flown for the first time at the top of the flagstaff at Waitangi, rather than the [[Union FlagJack]], and a replica of the flag of the [[United Tribes of New Zealand]] was also flown.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/treaty/waitangi-day/waitangi-day-1970s|access-date= 12 February 2017|title= Waitangi Day 1970s|publisher= New Zealand History – nzhistory.govt.nz}}</ref>

Waitangi Day underwent 'Mondayisation' in legislation enacted in 2013, meaning the public holiday is observed on the following Monday if 6 February falls on a Saturday or Sunday. <ref name="Extra public holidays voted in">
{{cite news|url= http://www.3news.co.nz/Extra-public-holidays-voted-in/tabid/1607/articleID/294661/Default.aspx|title= Extra public holidays voted in|date=17 April 2013|work=3 News NZ}}</ref>

Commemorations at Waitangi usually commence two or three days before Waitangi Day. At [[Paihia#Marae|Te Tii MaraeWaitangi]] marae, juston belowthe southern side of the [[Waitangi TreatyRiver Grounds(Far North District)|Waitangi River]], political dignitaries are welcomed onto the [[marae]] and hear speeches from the local [[iwi]]. These speeches often deal with the issues of the day, and vigorous and robust debate occurs.<ref name="NZ Herald">{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11583909|access-date=11 February 2017|title=A brief history of Waitangi Day – What happens at Waitangi|date=5 February 2016|work=NZ Herald}}</ref> Politicians are usually granted speaking rights, but on occasion, the privilege has been withdrawn, as with [[Leader of the Opposition (New Zealand)|Leader of the Opposition]] [[Helen Clark]] in 1999,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/blogs/on-the-house/1877816/Clarks-no-show-at-Waitangi-a-political-risk|access-date=14 February 2017|title=Clark's no-show at Waitangi a political risk|date=5 February 2008|work=Stuff.co.nz}}</ref> Prime Ministers [[John Key]] in 2016,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/76598479/prime-minister-john-keys-noshow-at-waitangi-no-great-loss|access-date=14 February 2017|title=Prime Minister John Key's no-show at Waitangi 'no great loss'|date=5 February 2016|work=Stuff.co.nz}}</ref> and [[Bill English]] in 2017.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/88223249/PM-Bill-English-defends-Waitangi-Day-no-show-says-Kiwis-cringe-at-protests|access-date=20 February 2017|title=PM Bill English defends Waitangi Day no-show, says Kiwis 'cringe' at protests|date=9 January 2017|work=Stuff.co.nz}}</ref> In recent years, the official pōwhiri, or welcome ceremony, for [[members of Parliamentparliament]] has moved from Te Tii Waitangi (sometimes referred to as the "lower marae", Te Tii,) to Te Whare Rūnanga, (sometimes referred to as the "upper marae", oneven though it is not a true marae) at the Treatytreaty Groundsgrounds,<ref name=one_marae>{{cite news |title=Explainer: There is only one marae at Waitangi |first=Christine |last=Rovoi |date=31 January 2023 |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/130948675/explainer-there-is-only-one-marae-at-waitangi |newspaper=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |access-date=7 March 2023}}</ref> which are north of the Waitangi properRiver. In 2018, [[Jacinda Ardern]] was the first Prime Minister to attend the commemorations in three years.<ref name=newshub_peaceful>{{Cite news|url=http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/02/jacinda-ardern-s-five-day-waitangi-draws-to-an-end.html|title=As it happened: 'Peaceful' Waitangi Day wraps up on Treaty Grounds|date=2 June 2018|work=Newshub|access-date=20 March 2018|language=en|archive-date=6 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306035944/http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/02/jacinda-ardern-s-five-day-waitangi-draws-to-an-end.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> According to ''[[The Guardian]]'', "Under Ardern the celebration has taken on a more conciliatory tone, with the prime minister usually spending several days at the treaty grounds listening to Māori leaders and in 2018 memorably asking those gathered to hold her government to account."<ref name="The Guardian">{{cite web |title=New Zealand celebrates Waitangi Day with dawn service, bacon butties |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/06/new-zealand-celebrates-waitangi-day-with-dawn-service-bacon-butties |work=The Guardian |date=6 February 2021 |access-date=7 February 2021}}</ref>

On Waitangi Day, a public service is held at dawn, organised by the Waitangi National Trust, attended by Māori elders and leaders, religious leaders, politicians, members of the [[diplomatic corps]], and defence force personnel. In 2021, this included hīmene ([[hymn]]s), religious readings, and prayers in many languages.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pearse |first1=Adam |title=New-look Waitangi dawn ceremony celebrations a hit |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/new-look-waitangi-dawn-ceremony-celebrations-a-hit/EX2Q33JEXBQZHELNUNNEBY4QHE/ |access-date=7 February 2021 |agency=The Northern Advocate |publisher=NZME}}</ref> The [[Royal New Zealand Navy]] raisesraised flags on the flagstaff in the treaty grounds. Since 2018, members of the government, including the prime minister and members of Parliamentparliament and their families have served a [[barbeque]] breakfast to members of the public following the dawn service.<ref name="The Guardian"/> Throughout the day, cultural displays such as [[kapa haka]] (Māori dance and song), {{Lang|Mi|wānanga}} (educational discussions), and other entertainment takestake place on stages throughout the Treatytreaty Groundsgrounds.<ref>{{cite web |title=What's On: Waitangi Day |url=https://www.waitangi.org.nz/whats-on/waitangi-day/ |website=Waitangi Treaty Grounds |publisher=Waitangi National Trust |access-date=7 February 2021}}</ref> Several [[Waka (canoe)|waka]] and sometimes a navy ship also take part in demonstrations in the harbour. The day closes with the flags being [[half-mast|lowered]] by the Navy in a traditional ceremony.<ref name="NZ Herald"/>

At the Kingston Butter Factory in [[Kingston, Queensland]], Australia, the Te Korowai Aroha (Cloak of Love) Association held a multicultural festival to mark Waitangi Day annually from 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thereporter.com.au/news/explore-neighbours-culture-and-heritage/1254372/|title=Explore our neighbour's culture|date=31 January 2012|publisher=The Logan Reporter|access-date=13 February 2017|archive-date=14 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214181034/https://www.thereporter.com.au/news/explore-neighbours-culture-and-heritage/1254372/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In [[Sydney]], an estimated 8,000 people attended the 2013 Waitangi Day Festival at Holroyd Gardens. The festival featured displays of artefacts, performance of thea [[haka]], and [[Māori culture]] (cuisine, tattooing and wood carving).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/parramatta/merrylands-gets-a-taste-of-maori-culture-with-the-waitangi-day-festival/news-story/92afaa73ea57b14ba3dc5d73a24f9851|title=Merrylands gets a taste of Maori Culture with the Waitangi Day Festival|date=13 February 2013|publisher=Daily Telegraph (Australia) – dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=16 February 2017}}</ref> 6 February 2015 saw the inaugural Waitangi Day Commemoration held at [[Nurragingy Reserve]], where the focus is more on the document itself, the treaty process and the significance to Māori and [[Pākehā]] today. It was co-hosted by the Blacktown City Council and the New South Wales [[Māori Wardens]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://e-tangata.co.nz/news/and-there-he-lies-ever-ever-the-manuhiri|title=And there he lies, ever, ever, the manuhiri|date=25 June 2017|work=E-Tangata – A Māori and Pasifika Sunday magazine|access-date=20 March 2018|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.maoriwardensaustralia.com.au/nsw/unveiling-the-pou-nurragingy-reserve-knox-rd-doonside/|title=Maori Wardens Australia {{!}} Unveiling the Pou – Nurragingy Reserve, Knox Rd Doonside.|website=www.maoriwardensaustralia.com.au|date=4 June 2014 |language=en-AU|access-date=20 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/nitv-news/article/2014/02/11/aboriginal-elders-object-maori-poles-blacktown|title=Aboriginal elders object to Maori poles in Blacktown|work=NITV|access-date=20 March 2018|language=en}}</ref>

In [[London]], England, which has one of the largest New Zealand [[expatriate]] populations, the national day is commemorated by the Waitangi Day Charitable Ball, held by the New Zealand Society.<ref>{{cite web |title=Waitangi Day Charitable Ball 2022 at Sheraton Grand London Park Lane, London on 04 Feb 2022 |date=4 February 2022 |url=https://www.nzsociety.co.uk/events/2022-02-04-waitangi-day-charitable-ball-2022-sheraton-grand-london-park-lane |publisher=New Zealand Society (UK) |access-date=6 March 2022}}</ref> The ball also hosts the annual UK New Zealander of the Year awards, cultural entertainment from London-based Māori group [[Ngāti Rānana]], and fine wine and cuisine from New Zealand. AAdditionally, a service is also held by the society at the church of [[St Lawrence Jewry]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://distillers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/St-Lawrence-Jewry-Feb-newsletter-16-final.pdf|title=St Lawrence Jewry February 2016 Newsletter|publisher=Company of Distillers|date=February 2016|access-date=9 February 2016|archive-date=15 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215195554/http://distillers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/St-Lawrence-Jewry-Feb-newsletter-16-final.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

A tradition, observed for more than 30 years {{As of|2016|lc=y}}, takes place on the closest Saturday to 6 February: New Zealanders, predominately [[European New Zealanders|Pākehā]], participate in a [[pub crawl]] using the [[London Underground]]'s [[Circle line (London Underground)|Circle Line]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/europe/76657917/Waitangi-Day-celebratory-scrum-halts-London-traffic|access-date=20 February 2017|title=Waitangi Day celebratory scrum halts London traffic|date=7 February 2016|work=Stuff.co.nz}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/europe/65829432/kiwis-warned-off-drunk-haka-on-waitangi-day-pub-crawl|access-date=20 February 2017|title=Kiwis warned off drunk haka on Waitangi Day pub crawl|date=5 February 2015|work=Stuff.co.nz}}</ref> Controversy arises regularly after some Pākehā New Zealanders perform drunken and semi-incomprehensible imitations of [[haka]], which has been considered to be offensive. This pub crawl has been criticised for degrading the [[Mana (Oceanian mythology)|mana]] ('honor') of Tethe Tirititreaty.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/remove-waitangi-day-from-the-kiwis-in-london-waitangi-day-pub-crawl-cancel-the-drunk-haka|title=SIGN: Remove 'Waitangi Day' from the Waitangi Day Circle Line Pub Crawl & Cancel the drunk Haka}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Newton|first=Kate|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/6373169/Disgust-at-drunk-Kiwis-in-London|title=Disgust at drunk Kiwis in London|newspaper=[[The Dominion Post (Wellington)|The Dominion Post]]|date=6 February 2012}}</ref>

By 1971, Waitangi and Waitangi Day had become a focus of protest concerning treaty injustices, with [[Ngā Tamatoa]] leading early protests. After a [[walkout]] from the ceremony in 1972, Governor General [[Arthur Porritt]] responded saying "I just do not believe that racism or discrimination exists in this country," demonstrating the gap in mutual understanding.<ref name="1970s">{{cite web |last1=Orange |first1=Claudia |title=Waitangi Day 1970s |url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/treaty/waitangi-day/waitangi-day-1970s |website=nzhistory.govt.nz |publisher=NZHistory |language=en}}</ref> Activists initially called for greater recognition of the treaty, but by the early 1980s, they were also arguing that it was a fraud and the means by which Pākehā had conned Māori out of their land. Attempts were made by groups, including the Waitangi Action Committee, to halt the commemorations.<ref>Hazlehurst, Kayleen M. (1995), 'Ethnicity, Ideology and Social Drama: The Waitangi Day Incident 1981' in Alisdair Rogers and Steven Vertovec, eds, ''The Urban Context: Ethnicity, Social Networks and Situational Analysis'', Oxford and Washington D.C., p.83; Walker, Ranginui (1990), ''Ka Whawhai Tonu Matou: Struggle without End'', Auckland, p.221.</ref> A [[hīkoi]] travelled from [[Tūrangawaewae]] Marae to the treaty grounds in 1984, in protest of Waitangi Day celebrations. With support from the Waitangi Action Committee, the [[New Zealand Māori Council]], the [[Māori Women's Welfare League]] and the [[Kīngitanga]], the number of marchers grew to 2000 people.<ref name="legacy of protest">{{cite web |last1=Ruru |first1=Karanama |title=Waitangi Day: A legacy of protest |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/300507811/waitangi-day-a-legacy-of-protest |website=Stuff |language=en |date=5 February 2022}}</ref> Growing protests led to confrontations between police and protesters, sometimes resulting in dozens of arrests.

Waitangi Day celebrations have long been an opportunity for Māori to highlight issues important to Māori, including breaches of [[Treaty of Waitangi|the treaty]], persistent inequality, high Māori incarceration rates, and advocating for constitutional change which entrench the Treaty of Waitangi. In the past, attempts to vandalise the flagstaff have been an objective of these protests, carrying on a tradition that dates from the 19th century when [[Hone Heke]] chopped down the British flagstaff in nearby Russell. In 2004, protesters succeeded in flying the [[national Māori flag]] (known as the {{lang|mi|[[tino rangatiratanga]]}} (flag, referring to Māori sovereignty) flag above the other flags on the flagstaff by flying it from the top of a nearby tree.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/content/253649/2591764.xhtml|title=Maori flag flies over Waitangi|website=TVNZ|access-date=20 March 2018|date=6 February 2004|quote=For the first time ever the Maori sovereignty flag has flown higher than the official New Zealand flag at Waitangi. A young Northland Maori activist climbed a 40-metre [[Araucaria araucana|monkey puzzle tree]] on the Waitangi treaty grounds on Friday afternoon and fixed the black and red {{lang|mi|tino rangitiratanga}} {{sic}} flag to the top, well above the nearby naval flagstaff. He climbed down to tumultuous applause and a triumphant {{lang|mi|[[haka]]}}.}}</ref>

Because of the level of protest activity that had previously occurred at Waitangi, Prime Minister [[Helen Clark]] did not attend in 2000. The official commemorations were shifted from Waitangi to [[Wellington]] for 2001. Some Māori felt that this was an insult to them and to the treaty. In 2003 and 2004, the anniversary was again officially commemorated at the Treatytreaty Groundsgrounds at Waitangi. In 2004, Leader of the Opposition [[Don Brash]] was hit with mud as he entered theTe Tii Waitangi marae as a response to his controversial [[Orewa Speech]] that year.<ref name="NZ_Herald_3547561">{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/treaty-of-waitangi/news/article.cfm?c_id=350&objectid=3547561 |title=Mud thrown at Brash at marae |date=5 February 2004 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=1 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120219115327/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/treaty-of-waitangi/news/article.cfm?c_id=350&objectid=3547561 |archive-date=19 February 2012}}</ref>

On 5 February 2009, the day before Waitangi Day, as then Prime Minister [[John Key]] was being escorted onto the [[Te Tii Marae|lower marae]], he was challenged and jostled by Wikitana and John Junior Popata,two nephews of then [[Māori Party]] MP [[Hone Harawira]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10555435|title=Elders condemn attack on PM|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|date=6 February 2009|first=Claire|last=Trevett}}</ref> Both admitted to assault and were sentenced to 100 hours of community service.<ref name="NZ_Herald_10578063">{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10578063 |title=Brothers sentenced for assaulting John Key |date=12 June 2009 |agency=[[NZPA]] |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=1 December 2011}}</ref> In 2011, Wikitanathe and Johnpair again heckled Key as he entered the marae.<ref name="NZ_Herald_10704321">{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10704321 |title=Harawira proud of nephew's protest |author=Yvonne Tahana |author2=Claire Trevett |name-list-style=amp |date=5 February 2011 |agency=with [[NZPA]] |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=1 December 2011}}</ref> A wet T-shirt thrown at Queen Elizabeth II<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.jaapl.org/content/36/1/59.full.pdf|title=Attacks on the British Royal Family: The Role of Psychotic Illness|author=David V. James|author2=Paul E. Mullen|author3=Michele T. Pathé|author4=J. Reid Meloy|author5=Frank R. Farnham|author6=Lulu Preston|author7=Brian Darnley|name-list-style=amp| journal=J Am Acad Psychiatry Law | volume=36 |pages=59–67 |year=2008|issue=1|pmid=18354125}}</ref> and other attacks on various prime ministers at Waitangi on 6 February have resulted in a large police presence and a large contingent of the armed forces on some years. In 2016 a nurse protesting against the proposed signing of the [[Trans-Pacific Partnership|TPPA]] trade agreement [[Waitangi dildo incident|threw a rubber dildo]] at [[Steven Joyce]], the MP representing Prime Minister John Key, who had refused to attend, having been denied normal speaking rights. The woman was arrested but later released.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/16/new-zealand-mp-dildo-baggins-cops-sex-toy-in-the-face-and-takes-ribbing-on-the-chin|access-date=13 February 2017|title=New Zealand MP 'Dildo Baggins' cops sex toy in the face and takes ribbing on the chin|date=16 February 2016|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref>

In 2018, Prime Minister [[Jacinda Ardern]] visited Waitangi for five days, the longest any prime minister has stayed. [[Titewhai Harawira]], a Māori activist, greeted Ardern and escorted her onto the Treatytreaty grounds holding hands, ahands—a significant change from herHarawira's response to then-[[Leader of the Opposition (New Zealand)|Leader of the Opposition]] Helen Clark's visit in 1998, which brought Clark to tears. Ardern is also the first female prime minister to be given speaking rights on the marae by Ngāpuhi, who also offered to bury her child's placenta on the Treatytreaty Groundsgrounds. Ardern was praised for her speech during her visit where she said "one day I want to be able to tell my child that I earned the right to stand here, and only you can tell me when I have done that".<ref name="Ainge-Roy">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/06/jacinda-ardern-waitangi-day-changes-new-zealand|title=Jacinda Ardern defuses tensions on New Zealand's sacred Waitangi Day|last=Ainge-Roy|first=Eleanor|date=6 February 2018|website=the Guardian|language=en|access-date=23 May 2018}}</ref> Ardern was praised for her speech during her visit where she said "one day I want to be able to tell my child that I earned the right to stand here, and only you can tell me when I have done that".<ref name="Ainge-Roy"/>

*{{Wikinews- inline|Category:Waitangi Day|Waitangi Day}}