Introduction:
This is New Zealand’s national day of recognising the signing of a treaty between the first people of the land and the immigrant colonisers. It has many current and ongoing implications.
Poem
Our national Day
a day to think
of who we are
history, future
a Day to mourn battle
disagreement
lies
dishonour
betrayal
And the TV tells me
Massive Waitangi day sale
10-50% off everything in store
the art of consumerism
sapping meaning for existing out of our lives
life is a bargain
birthrights for blankets
culture for muskets
plastic toys and perfumes for your soul
The great bargain box day, waitangi day,
the reconstruction, re-recording of history
Oh great Nation of bargain warriors
who hunt and gather meaning for family in the aisles of stores
where to next
Waitangi, just buy something
forget the pain of our people.
(Simon Chaplin)