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The build up to Waitangi Day commemorations began in earnest on
Monday, with the blessing of a new waka.
But the seas were too choppy for her maiden voyage, although the
canoe still managed a brief outing.
Meanwhile, New Zealand's politicians are trying to make their
mark on the national day.
Both Prime Minister Helen Clark and National leader John Key headed
for Waitangi, with Key bringing a special guest.
She has only left Auckland once in her life but on Monday, Aroha hitched a ride with a potential Prime Minister and was left a little lost for words.
Key was making good on his promise to show the 12-year-old around Waitangi after he labelled her McGehan Close address as home to New Zealand's growing underclass - a tag which has seen him cop some flak.
"Yeah, a little bit, but it seems to be okay now isn't it," he says.
He says Aroha was invited because her family could not afford to take her to Waitangi. Key says Aroha was in the right place at the right time and this is an experience she will never forget.
He says it was a spontaneous gesture and says Aroha is very excited about the experience. He says he will be taking an interest in Aroha's future.
The young girl says she wants to be a nurse.
Helen Clark wasn't lining up to play politics on the eve of New Zealand's National day.
"Families will come out, people will mix across all boundaries of ethnicity and culture and community and that's a positive thing for New Zealand," she says.
It was left to Labour MP Dover Samuels to lead the attack on Key's piece of Waitangi theatre.
"I think all this grandstanding, stage-managed farcical show that's been put on - the majority of New Zealanders will see through it," he says.
Key is not feeling the love from everyone at his first visit to Waitangi, but on Monday he brought the Aroha with him.
Republic support
And as political leaders converge on Waitangi, a poll is out showing almost 40% of New Zealanders want the country to become a republic.
The poll, aired by TV3, shows the trend towards a republic is increasing with only 48% of New Zealanders now supporting the status quo, with the Queen as Head of State.
Republican Movement President Lewis Holden says Waitangi Day is a time for people to reflect on where New Zealand is going as a nation.
The Republican Movement wants to see a democratically elected
New Zealander as the Head of State. It says that will not
mean changes to the Treaty of Waitangi, the flag or Commonwealth
membership.
How are you going to spend your Waitangi Day? Let the team
at TVNZ know by emailing us at
interactivenews@tvnz.co.nz
and we will share it with the rest of the country.
Put the word Waitangi in the subject line.
