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A reminder of the first New Zealand Day at Waitangi was revealed at this year’s Waitangi Day events.
The Kirk Labour Government declared Waitangi Day to be a national holiday rather than just the Northland anniversary, and started the modern tradition of the full state commemoration in the Bay of Islands.
When the Labour Party was welcomed on to Te Tii Marae on Wednesday, leader David Cunliffe gifted the marae a photograph taken at that 1974 commemoration.
It shows prime minister Norman Kirk presenting Ngapuhi kaumatua Tawai Kawiti with the ensign flown on the frigate Otago during New Zealand’s protest against French nuclear testing in Mururoa.
Sitting on the paepae are his fellow Labour MPs including Matiu Rata, Brown Rewiti and Arthur Faulkner, as well as Bruce Gregory.
The photo was taken by Ngapuhi photographer John Miller, who was on hand to record it being carried on to the marae.
Copyright © 2014, UMA Broadcasting Ltd
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