Thursday, 21 October 2004

New Zealand Day Bill to be debated by Parliament

United Future leader, Peter Dunne, is delighted his Members Bill, the New Zealand Day Bill, has been drawn from the ballot and is likely to be debated in Parliament in early December.

The Bill seeks to rename Waitangi Day as New Zealand Day and would be celebrated on the Monday of the week in which February 6 occurs.
The Bill’s explanatory note says “Contemporary New Zealand is becoming an increasingly diverse nation, culturally and ethically.

It is vital that, as a modern multicultural nation, New Zealand recognises its diversity through a designated national day, to which all sectors of our society feel able to contribute.”

Mr Dunne said today “The timing of the Bill couldn’t do better, with the current debate over the role of the Treaty in New Zealand society and the need for New Zealanders to establish a national identity that encompasses all of us, with our diverse cultural and social backgrounds.”

New Zealand Day Bill

Member’s Bill

Explanatory note

Contemporary New Zealand is becoming an increasingly diverse nation, culturally and ethnically.

It is vital that, as a modern multicultural nation, New Zealand recognises its diversity through a designated national day, to which all sectors of our society feel able to contribute.

This Bill proposes that New Zealand Day be celebrated on the day presently known as Waitangi Day, 6 February.

However, to ensure that the fullest range of commemorative celebrations can take place, and also to acknowledge the particular significance of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, the Bill proposes that New Zealand Day be regularised and held on the Monday of the week in which 6 February falls.

The Bill also repeals the Waitangi Day Act 1976, meaning that the weekend of New Zealand Day would be the only occasion on which the national day commemorations took place, and that there would no longer be any separate celebration for Waitangi Day.

Hon Peter Dunne

New Zealand Day Bill

Member’s Bill

Contents

1 Title
2 Commencement
3 Purpose
4 New Zealand Day to be a day of commemoration

5 Observance of New Zealand Day
6 Act to bind the Crown
7 Repeal

The Parliament of New Zealand enacts as follows:

1 Title
This Act is the New Zealand Day Act 2004.

2 Commencement
This Act comes into force on the day after the date on which it receives the Royal assent.

3 Purpose
The purpose of this Act is to make provision for the observance of 6 February in each year as a public holiday to commemorate both the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi and New Zealand’s national identity.

4 New Zealand Day to be a day of commemoration
In commemoration of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi on 6 February 1840, and to celebrate New Zealand’s national identity, 6 February in each year is to be known as New Zealand Day.

5 Observance of New Zealand Day
New Zealand Day must be observed as a public holiday throughout New Zealand on the Monday of the week in which it falls.

6 Act to bind the Crown
This Act binds the Crown.

7 Repeal
The Waitangi Day Act 1976 is repealed.

ENDS

© Scoop Media