Kiwis are typically quite a patriotic lot. We all have our own ideas of what it means to be 'Kiwi', but one thing that is absolutely, totally, completely Kiwi is Waitangi Day.
Regardless of how you feel about the treaty of Waitangi (proud, sick and tired of it, indifferent or angry about injustices or whatever), Waitangi Day is a day to celebrate our history and our unique culture.
Whether you do that by trekking to the Bay of Islands, sitting in front of the telly, having a BBQ or going out to one of the many celebratory events in the various centers around the country - it doesn't matter. Simply taking a day to sit back and reflect on our beautiful country and all it means to us - whether it be our history, our culture or the environment - is what Waitangi Day is about.
But our national holiday - the holiday on which we celebrate our national identity - is not 'Monday-ised'. So if it falls on a weekend, there's no holiday.
But there is still a holiday surcharge on products. So not only do we not get a holiday, not only do we not give the national day the respect of proper observance, we have to pay more for the privilege of enjoying our Saturday at the pub with friends.
What's that about?
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