Robin Grieve: Settlers Day Why Not?

The good people of Kimbolton, a small town in the Manawatu, found themselves in hot water when they dared to organize an event they called Settlers Day on February 6^th, Waitangi Day. It was to be a day of laughter, friendly rivalry between local communities and a chance to have a go at some old time activities for young and old. Everyone was welcome to this free event, no matter their age, agility, or their ancestry.

Stuff reporter George Heagney signaled his and Stuff’s indignation at the organisers having the audacity to do such a thing by describing them as a group, that had ‘organized to hold a Settlers Day celebration, to celebrate its European heritage, without any involvement of mana whenua Ngati Kauwhata’.

How dare they?

Kimbolton has had many Settlers Days in the past that have not been controversial but the difference this time it seems was they were holding it on Waitangi Day, and according to Stuff and some Maori people quoted in Stuff’s story, that is inappropriate.