As gatherings and speeches are moved online, the chairman of the Waitangi National Trust Board sees a chance for further thought and change
n the 182nd anniversary of the signing of Aotearoa New Zealand’s founding document, the Waitangi Treaty grounds – usually thronging with tens of thousands of people – were quiet and cloaked in a gloss of rain, a sign, or tohu, to some that it is a Waitangi Day like no other.
Pita Tipene, chairman of the Waitangi National Trust Board, said the morning was surreal without the usual crowds. Tipene held his own karakia early in the morning, with his mokopuna . He stood at the marae and looked across the empty grounds, where he would usually see people standing shoulder-to-shoulder, and likened it to a forest without birdsong or cicadas.
The Waka land on the beach and a haka is performed in 2021 in Waitangi, New Zealand. This year offered an opportunity for reflection and change, said Pita Tipene, chairman of the Waitangi National Trust Board.Tipene commented on the rain falling across much of the North Island, and said that in his memory, he has never attended a Waitangi Day where it had poured down.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
NSW COVID deaths and cases fall dramaticallyPremier Dominic Perrottet said 'we are seeing some very pleasing and reassuring data coming through' as New South Wales recorded another decline in daily COVID-19 cases and deaths.
Read more »
Nine more Queensland deaths as COVID toll inches towards 300The human toll of COVID pandemic on Queensland is inching towards 300, with nine deaths in the latest reporting period.
Read more »
Vastly unequal US has world’s highest Covid death toll – it’s no coincidenceAs the US nears 900,000 Covid deaths, much of the blame has fallen on individuals despite vast income inequality and vaccine accessibility issues
Read more »
US death toll from COVID-19 hits 900,000The US death toll from COVID-19 has hit 900,000, less than two months after eclipsing 800,000 - propelled in part by the wildly contagious Omicron variant. 7NEWS
Read more »
‘The case for masks became hugely stronger’: scientists admit their Covid mistakesBeing proved wrong lies at the heart of scientific progress. Here, experts reveal what they got wrong during the pandemic
Read more »
Queensland records deadliest day with 21 COVID-19 deaths and 8,508 new casesChief Health Officer John Gerrard says Queensland has recorded its deadliest day of the pandemic, with 21 people dying of COVID-19 as 8,508 new cases are confirmed in the latest reporting period.
Read more »