23 January 2002
Alliance leader and Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton will go to Waitangi this year with the Prime Minister.
And his message for the day is: ‘New Zealand is an example to the world, and we should celebrate that.’
“With the Government returning to Waitangi, I hope all New Zealanders will join together in celebrating our nationhood,”
Jim Anderton said.
“For all the difficulties New Zealand has had over the years, we have forged relations in a way which is an example to
most other countries of a positive partnership.
“It’s time that we learnt how to celebrate achievements, and not just be paralysed by the past, and I hope the spirit of
celebration is shared by all New Zealanders.
“For most New Zealanders, Waitangi Day is another well-earned day off in the summer sun, and that probably puts into
perspective the anxiety that some people like to express on Waitangi Day.”
The official party will attend a powhiri at the National Marae on the afternoon of Tuesday, 5 February, and a Dawn
karakia on Waitangi Day.
Jim Anderton has previously spent Waitangi Day as Deputy Prime Minister at the Orongomai Marae open day in the Hutt
Valley.
Ends