Waitangi Day

Went to our local marae who invited the community to join them this morning to celebrate Waitangi Day and the founding document of New Zealand. This is the second time I have been on this marae which was newly opened in 2010. It is the most beautiful marae I have been on. I love that they chose to use the colours of a paua shell for their background of the tuku tuku panels, and that they chose a peace loving ancestor as their key figure to stand facing the entrance.

Having had some sweltering days recently, it was sods law that it would change to a freezing cold southerly with all the people waiting outside in the cold before the karanga. Once inside though, it was warm and cosy and more bodies than seats. We ended up standing at the back, and were relieved that the korero was really short and sweet. Felt good to be part of our local community celebration of what this day is all about - living side by side with our differences.