Editorial comment February 6, 2012

By Coen Lammers

Waitangi Day is an odd day.

We all enjoy the day off but that's the only common denominator we seem to share.
Waitangi Day is our national holiday in which we are supposed to celebrate the birth of our nation.
Unlike other nations, though, the day does not represent unity and nationwide celebrations, but too often highlights our divisions.
Just about every year, certain Maori groups use the high-profile celebrations at the National Marae to raise their grievances.
Many of the protests over the years have been valid and have carried widespread support across Maoridom, but sadly the content of the complaints are often lost among television pictures of scuffles and mudslinging.
This weekend was no different, as yesterday's scuffles at the Te Ti Marae showed.
The protests yesterday were a result of the announcement this week - with perfect timing - that the Waitangi Treaty clause may be removed from new legislation around the state asset sales.
Predictably this triggered condemnation from the Maori Party leaders who threatened to pull out of their support agreement with the National Party.
Before last year's election, the Maori Party strongly campaigned against state asset sales, so the removal of the Waitangi clause will only strengthen their opposition on this issue.
Prime Minister John Key said that the new legislation will go through a consultation process which will include a series of hui around the country.
However, the timing of the debate, only days before Waitangi Day, has only fuelled certain extremist elements that hardly need a reason to kick up a fuss.
Yesterday's protests also highlighted the divisions within Maori politics as leaders of the Maori Party were heckled and accused of sleeping with the enemy.
Maori organisers of the celebrations at the National Marae every year pull out all the stops to make the event a day of genuine national celebration.
However the focus on never-ending spats make it difficult for the average Kiwi to embrace this day as their day of celebration.
Iwi around the country invite Kiwis to join the celebrations on their marae, but again, only a small percentage of non-Maori take up that invitation.
In foreign lands, national holidays are giant carnivals with long-standing local traditions, activities, music and food that children grow up with.
New Zealand still has a long way to go until this day becomes more than just another day off work.

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