February 6th is a national holiday in NZ. It is the commemoration of the signing of the treaty that basically made NZ part of the British Empire and gave the native Maori land rights and rights as British subjects. There are some differences between the translations that has caused some confusion over time as to exactly what was agreed to. In any event, it is a big day here, kind of like a combination of our Independence Day and Thanksgiving Day. In Nelson, there was a gigantic sidewalk sale, they blocked off two blocks of the main street in town, and lots of seeing and being seen going on. The picture shows a pipe band playing in the middle of things. There was also a commemoration of Maori activities and history at a local park. The weather was very cooperative with sunshine and 70's.
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