Waitangi Day 6 February
On Thursday 6 February Aotearoa New Zealand marks the 180th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840.
KARAKIA
E te Ātua e aroha mai ana ki a mātou God who loves each one of us
Ko ōu iwi katoa hei iwi mō mātou All your people are our people,
Awhinatia mātou ki te mārama tetahi ki tetahi Help us to understand each other
Kia whakapaingia tōu Hahi, Let your Church be blessed,
E mahi tahi ana I roto I te kōmunio tuturu As we work together in true communion.
Āmene Amen
Picture shows modern reconstruction, showing Tāmati Wāka Nene signing the Treaty in front of James Busby, Captain William Hobson and other British officials and witnesses. Some Māori signatories are assembled on the left.
Image by King, Marcus, 1891-1983. The signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, February 6th, 1840. 1938. Ref: G-821-2. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22308135
Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.
Prayer for Waitangi Day
Ka īnoi tātou,
Ever-living God from whom
all rangatiratanga (sovereignty) comes,
In the unfolding of time,
You led the Māori people
and many others
to find their home in Aotearoa.
As we strive to fulfil the destiny of our lives,
heal the wounds of our past,
Draw together in tika (justice)
and aroha (love)
All who call this land their own.
We ask this through
our Lord Jesus Christ your Son
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of
the Holy Spirit,
God forever and ever,
Āmene
Published in Caritas Companions Feb 2012
A new day dawns over the Waitangi Treaty grounds.
More Māori resources can be located here
More historical background here