Waitangi Day is New Zealand's national day and is celebrated every year on February 6.
The history of this celebration goes back nearly 1,000 years when the Maori Indians arrived in what is now New Zealand, there lived by hunting and fishing boats and they decorated their homes with beautiful wood carvings. The Maori lived in this area until the arrival of the Europeans brought war and disease and in less than 50 years, almost half the population died.
On February 6, 1840 an agreement was signed with the British at a place called Waitangi, which means "weeping waters." In the agreement, Maori accepted the Queen of England as their sovereign and in return the British promised to respect their land and rights.
The treaty was never ratified by the Parliament of New Zealand and is even today a source of much controversy.
However, this day is celebrated with music concerts, children's activities and traditional markets.
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