OPINION: Honouring the Treaty's intent for Waitangi

CONTROVERSIAL: Waitangi Day has long attracted protests on various issues and concerns.

In the lead-up to Australia Day celebrations, I came across many readings relating to the indigenous perspective of the national Australian holiday.

Having recently celebrated our own national holiday, Waitangi Day, I've come to question more critically how this commemoration of such an important part of our history is observed.

Australia Day, commemorated on January 26, marks the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the first British Fleet and the official colonisation of Australia, our continental neighbour. Yet for many indigenous Australians, the day is a reminder of historical wrongs and the loss of their culture.

This year, I stumbled upon a number of videos created by indigenous Australian groups describing their perception of a date they regard as a celebration of the 'Invasion Day'. Although recent celebrations have attempted to increase recognition of indigenous Australian culture and participation, the date remains a controversial discussion point and is a day filled with many protests.

Similarly, each year on February 6, many activists gather to protest Waitangi Day celebrations -- a public demonstration of long-standing frustrations about controversial treaty clauses. While our government has made many attempts to address past injustices, I wonder if many Maori feel similarly to the indigenous Australian groups.

The 1840 Treaty of Waitangi has long been considered one of New Zealand's founding documents, along with the 1935 Declaration of Independence. As a bit of background, I've attempted to paraphrase the three defining clauses of the Treaty.

Article One, which seeks to address the cession of Maori sovereignty to the Crown through kawanatanga, is often considered to be the most disputed aspect of the Treaty. Article Two secures Britain's right to pre-emption and decrees that all land sales must go through the Crown. However, this clause also covers the principle of tinorangatiratanga, and grants Maori full sovereignty over their taonga, or treasures. The third and final clause is relatively straight forward, affording Maori the same rights and protection as those then afforded to British citizens.

Today, Waitangi Day and the Treaty it commemorates is still the centre of many protests and the annual visit to Waitangi by the New Zealand Prime Minister is often used as an opportunity to voice Maori concerns. This year's issue: the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement. Regardless of your position on this matter, it has indeed influenced the way in which this last Waitangi weekend passed.

While February 6 still causes much controversy, other community activities have shifted the view away from Treaty, and use the day as a means of celebrating and educating others about Maori culture.

Rather than focusing on the divisive issues relating to the Treaty and its dual interpretations, I think it is beneficial to honour the Principles of the Treaty, as described by Lord Cooke of Thorndon in 1987: to promote a relationship of co-operation and partnership.

While it is important to honour our history, New Zealand is today an increasingly multicultural society and we should use such events to affirm a modern New Zealand identity.