Welcome back to what’s happening in NZ this week?

Well it has been a scorcher of a week so far, we are into the first week of February and the temperatures have been hot, hot,hot!! Yesterday it reached 27 degrees it is 25-25 all week… and this week I have been in sun dresses and tops and short and enjoying the sunshine

This week sees a very important date for us as the 6th February is Waitangi day… let’s explain here what that is all about.. this day is a national day for New Zealand and marks the anniversary of the initial signing of the the Treaty of Waitangi which was signed on 6th February 1840. The original intent of the treaty was to establish a British Governor whilst recognising Māori land, forest and other possession rights.

Interestingly it is believed that the Treaty came about as a Frenchman named Charles Phillipe de Thierry had arrived in the Pacific and declared himself King of the Marquesas Islands and England wanted to counter this and also to show that they were more aligned with the Maori people already living in New Zealand.

The same year and time that the Treaty was signed a proclamation was declared and issued stating that Queen Victoria had ‘ full sovereignty of the Islands of New Zealand, and at this time over 500 chiefs had signed but many were not in agreement. Waitangi Day is a public holiday and is a day to commemorate the signing of the Treaty.

Sadly other news this week has shown that unemployment has risen to 5.1% with 156,000 unemployed people in the last 3 months… not good!

Our Prime Minister Chris Luxon will not be present at the North Island Treaty of Waitangi commemorative event and many did expect him to attend.

And finally NZ highways are getting an upgrade with speeds increased on 50 chosen highways.