Honouring Waitangi Day: A Reflection on Partnership, Faith, and Justice

E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā iwi o te motu,

Tihei mauri ora!

How was your Waitangi Day yesterday? Did you join in with one of the many ceremonies or have a relaxing day with family and friends.

Below is my Waitangi reflection.

He aha te mea nui o te ao?
What is the most important thing in the world?

This Māori whakataukī (proverb) sums up my reflections on Waitangi Day (6 February). Each year, the atmosphere across the country shifts as people gather to remember the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi—Te Tiriti o Waitangi in 1840, a covenant signifying the partnership between Māori and the Crown.

This whakataukī also reminds me of our Creator God, who, in the beginning, created humanity in His image. He placed us just below the angels and entrusted us with the care of His creation. He tangata, he tangata, he tangata!

“Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness…’ So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.”
(Genesis 1:26-27)

“What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.”
(Psalm 8:4-5)

Our Moderator, the Right Rev. Rose Luxford, offers the following encouragement as a church: to engage in meaningful conversations about Te Tiriti—to explore different worldviews and deepen our bicultural relationships. We do this through our Christian faith, following Jesus, who stepped into diverse settings and engaged with people from all walks of life with grace, wisdom, and compassion.

We can ask ourselves, “What is Jesus calling us to do in this space?” As we seek the answer, we trust that the light of Christ goes before us, guiding and illuminating the way.

Prayer for Our Country

Loving God,
Your love reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.
Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep.
With You, Lord, is the fountain of life; in Your light, we see light.

We pray for wisdom for the Crown and Māori leaders—that they may discern Your righteousness, which brings true peace to our nation. Fill our leaders with a deep hunger to seek justice, speak truth, and walk in humility.

Amen