179 years to the day the Declaration of Independence of New Zealand was signed, and today the signifficance of that event was celebrated.
In 1831, Ngāpuhi chiefs petitioned King William IV of the United Kingdom to protect them from other powers. On the 28th of October 1835 James Busby took this a step further and held a meeting at Waitangi.
A movement that was led by Ngāpuhi, then gained support from other tribal leaders of the country.
Led by the leaders of Ngāpuhi, this day is also something for all to commemorate in New Zealand.
By the end of the day, 34 northern chiefs and tribal leaders had signed 'The Declaration of the Independence of New Zealand.’