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People complaining about Matariki becoming a public holiday but are happy to keep Boxing Day on the list.
For context, Boxing Day was the day servants were presented with a gift box and allowed to spend the day sharing it with their families. This after working Christmas day
For context, Boxing Day was the day servants were presented with a gift box and allowed to spend the day sharing it with their families. This after working Christmas day
No family, then no requirement for a gift or a day off. You can thank those pesky Victorians for this particular iteration.
Other countries celebrate it as St. Stephen's day. Where they 'remember' the martyring of a Christian Deacon
Other countries celebrate it as St. Stephen's day. Where they 'remember' the martyring of a Christian Deacon
New Years Day. Roman in origin, originally in March (Julian calendar) drifted to Jan 1st under 'direction' from the Catholic church. Tudor England celebrated it as a religious holiday, along with 12th Night. Lost its religious link and became a day of rest
The 'Day after New Years Day'
Has no reason to be a holiday, but it is. Maybe a sop to Hogmanay, I've no idea
Has no reason to be a holiday, but it is. Maybe a sop to Hogmanay, I've no idea
Lets go Regional. So why do we have Regional Public Holidays. Well it's to celebrate European settlement of those areas.
Yet Waitangi Day, the celebration of the signing of an Internationally important document and a time for reflection and unity is derided and ignored by many
Yet Waitangi Day, the celebration of the signing of an Internationally important document and a time for reflection and unity is derided and ignored by many
See any issues yet?
Let's talk Queens Birthday. Why do we celebrate the official birthday, not the actual one, of our head of state?
Weather and Empire are the reasons. Better weather in Blighty for the official birthdate and we just carried it over.
Weather and Empire are the reasons. Better weather in Blighty for the official birthdate and we just carried it over.
No point in the working classes getting a day off if they end up getting cold and ill
On to Labour Day. The day we celebrate workers rights to an 8hr day by...
Going shopping
Going shopping
Now to the religious Holidays. Again their dates are arbitary and for two, move around.
You can't shop on them (*exceptions apply) and they aren't strictly relevant to 50% of the population. Yet suggest changes to them and, oh boy.
You can't shop on them (*exceptions apply) and they aren't strictly relevant to 50% of the population. Yet suggest changes to them and, oh boy.
So far we have:
3 religious holidays
1 pseudo religious which is also a sop to servants
1 for the Nation
1 for the people
1 because, colonisation
1 because, royalty
And 1, technically 1/2 which brings Kiwis together
ANZAC Day. A day to remember those who fell
3 religious holidays
1 pseudo religious which is also a sop to servants
1 for the Nation
1 for the people
1 because, colonisation
1 because, royalty
And 1, technically 1/2 which brings Kiwis together
ANZAC Day. A day to remember those who fell
A day to remember those who served
Of all of them this seems to resonate more than the eating of Eggs or giving presents.
But why only a half day?
Of all of them this seems to resonate more than the eating of Eggs or giving presents.
But why only a half day?
Matariki has the potential to become a good thing. Let's not screw it up
