If you're in the US, this is Super Bowl weekend. But if you're in New Zealand, it's Waitangi Day, the national holiday. Becky and I have now been to Aoteoroa (the Maori name, commonly translated "Land of the Long White Cloud") twice -- the first time on our own to visit our dear friends, and the second time with a group we took with our tour company, World to the Wise Cultural Tours. It is a unique, unforgettable place that we are itching to return to -- hopefully with another group of curious souls. (If you'd like to stay abreast of future possibilities, just leave your name in the form here.)
Waitangi is the name of the place where a treaty was signed on Feb. 6,1840, between representatives of the British crown and about 45 Maori chiefs. The signing represented a supposed mutual will to coexist, but it is no secret that the indigenous people of New Zealand have had a long and ongoing struggle for justice and equality, and Waitangi Day is not without its controversy.
Still, much progress has been made by the New Zealand government in recent years. We witnessed this first hand, beginning with our arrival at the Aukland airport and noticing all the signs in the Maori language as well as English. And it doesn't hurt that our culturally intelligent Kiwi besties, Neil and Jill White, were able to give us some great orientation to the cultural dynamics at play in their home country, now a melting pot of dozens of other cultures as well.
NZ’s All Blacks
Speaking of Neil and Jill, you can whet your appetite for New Zealand by listening to my podcast interview with them, where we cover lots of aspects of this beautiful country. From the famous All Blacks rugby team (pictured doing the haka) to the country's British heritage as a Commonwealth nation, from the incredibly diverse and beautiful terrain of the two main islands to the forward thinking of the New Zealanders in general, including their government, we had a wonderful conversation that only left me wanting to come back.
Milford Sound, South Island
And yes, you have to visit the Shire (Hobbiton) when you go. The creativity of Peter Jackson's Hobbit movie set is striking, set right in the green, sheep-dotted countryside.
At Hobbiton (North Island)
So Happy Waitanga Day to all our Kiwi friends from this American Pakeha (white person), and here's to the next opportunity to introduce more Americans to your fair land.