Waitangi Day 🇳🇿

Our journey through New Zealand has come to an end, but the last day turned out to be a special one. By pure luck, we were there for Waitangi Day, the country’s most important national holiday. It marks the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 between the British Crown and Māori chiefs, which laid the foundation for modern New Zealand.

The celebrations started early in the morning with the Waka Parade, where large Māori war canoes, or waka, were paddled across the water in a powerful and impressive ceremony. Throughout the day, we had the chance to experience Māori culture - watching traditional haka performances and listening to beautiful waiata (songs).

One of the most fascinating things about Māori culture is their ta moko - traditional tattoos. Unlike Western tattoos, these are deeply personal and tell the story of a person’s ancestry, status, and achievements. Men often have tattoos covering their faces, while women typically have designs on their chins or lips. The patterns are unique to each individual, almost like a fingerprint.

The day ended with a final ceremony, where the waka were carefully carried back to the wharenui (meeting house). It was a reminder of how strong Māori traditions still are. We were struck by how welcoming and family-oriented the Māori people are - proud of their heritage and happy to share it.

Before heading to the airport, we took a swim at Hobson Beach. Later, we cooked our own dinner on one of the country’s endless, deserted beaches.

New Zealand is home to only 5 million people, but it feels even quieter - just nature, mountains, beaches, and space. It’s a stunning, peaceful place. If it weren’t so far away, I could easily imagine living here.Read more