NEW ZEALANDERS from NGOs, international organizations and private companies
gathered at Deja Vu restaurant on Feb 6 to celebrate Waitangi Day, New Zealand's
national day.
Sponsored by Worley International, the celebrations
included food and wine imported for the occasion and songs and speeches in Maori
and English. Guests included British ambassador Paul
Reddicliffe.
Waitangi Day commemorates the signing of the treaty between
the Maori people of New Zealand and the government of Queen Victoria in 1840.
The Treaty of Waitangi acknowledged the sovereign rights of the Maori and
allowed settlement of much of the country by British migrants. Today there is
still division among New Zealanders about the true meaning of the Treaty, making
Waitangi Day one of debate throughout the country.
In Cambodia, Kiwis
worked with UNTAC, especially in mine clearance training and electoral work.
Volunteer Service Abroad has volunteers in rural development in Takeo. Other New
Zealanders are with CMAC, UNDP, Australian Catholic Relief, WHO, World Vision,
South East Asia Outreach, Health Unlimited, Assemblies of God and the Phnom Penh
Post. New Zealand companies in Cambodia include Worley International and the
Deja Vu restaurant.
