Replace Queen's Birthday with Matariki
Both Keith Rankin and Brian Rudman both call for changes to New Zealand's public holidays. Keith argues the mysterious 2 January holiday should be abolished, along with Queen's Birthday, and replaced with a rejuvenated Dominion Day (26 September) and Matariki (start of June). The Republican Movement has long argued for the replacement of Queen's Birthday, a day hardly celebrated in New Zealand (our annual surveys have yet to come up with any official celebration at the local authority level) with Matariki, a day now widely celebrated as a unique holiday to New Zealand.
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Is it a good idea to replace a holiday that is relevant to all NZers (the Monarch remains the Head Of State of the whole country) with one that is of significance to Maori and other Pacific folk? If NZ becomes a republic QB could morph into Presidents' day or a Constitution Day or whatever. Instead of Matariki, how about a holiday to mark Guido Fawkes' failed plot to blow up the British King in the English parliament - a day that is more widely celebrated in NZ than Matariki.
NZ is not over-served with public holidays, so if there is the demand, why not have an additional holiday to celebrate Matariki?
Matariki, a day now widely celebrated as a unique holiday to New Zealand.
I think you may find Matariki is widely celebrated throughout the Pacific.
Keith argues the mysterious 2 January holiday should be abolished
I think that one originated from Scotch new year hogmanay celebrations that lasted 2 days. Perhaps they thought a two day holiday over new year in mid-Summer was good idea and kept up that inherited tradition. Good luck with trying to get rid of the 2 Jan holiday Keith!
If Queen's Birthday was relevant to New Zealanders, they would celebrate it. Actually, back in the 50s we used to - but not any more. The fact is we've not once found any celebrations for the Queen's Birthday in the years that we've done our survey. The only celebrations we know of are church services... hosted by the Monarchist League.
Moreover, the claim Matariki is a celebration just for Maori or Pacific Islanders is laughable. Sure, like Guy Fawkes' roots in England, it has its roots in Maori culture - but that doesn't mean Pakeha NZers can't (and more importantly, don't) celebrate it. Clearly, you've not actually been to a Matariki festival.
...a day that is more widely celebrated in NZ than Matariki.
That probably has something to do with the fact it's the only time you can legally buy fireworks. I doubt there's many Anglicans burning effigies of the Papist conspirators to celebrate Fawkes' capture...
NZ is not over-served with public holidays, so if there is the demand, why not have an additional holiday to celebrate Matariki?
Well, our low level of productivity growth for one - but also because the Queen's Birthday is an irrelevant celebration of nothing; it's not even the Queen's birthday, which is April 21st. Queen's Birthday is set on that day because the weather's best at that time of year. In England. I mean honestly, there's no defence for that.
I think you may find Matariki is widely celebrated throughout the Pacific.
No it's not. Sure, other Pacific cultures have their own new year celebrations, but not Matariki. There's lots of different star formations in the sky you know...
I think that one originated from Scotch new year hogmanay celebrations that lasted 2 days.
Once again, incredibly relevant in 21st century New Zealand.
Good luck with trying to get rid of the 2 Jan holiday Keith!
Probably won't be a goer. So we'll just have to dump the Queen's Non-Birthday Holiday.
Clearly, you've not actually been to a Matariki festival.
Actually, when I was in a local park I happened upon a local ratepayer funded one a couple of years ago. Local government sponsored Matariki celebrations with activities that appeal to families have become more common in recent years.
Different iwi celebrated Matariki at differing times and a quick googling reveals:
"In both ancient Greece and Mexico, several temples were lines up with the rising and setting of Matariki."
http://www.tetaurawhiri.govt.nz/english/matariki_e/index.shtml
Matariki is celebrated widely throughout the Pacific where it is known as Matali'i, Mataliki, Makali'i, Mata-ali'i, and Makahiki
http://www.matarikitauranga.co.nz/index.html
I imagine, as with festivals celebrated in different countries, the emphasis and form of the celebrations varies.
Exactly. They're a celebration.
However, if you do feel Queen's Birthday is relevant, feel free to start a campaign for public celebrations of the Queen's non-birthday holiday.
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