Go green and celebrate shared history
Ireland and New Zealand share many historical, cultural and economic values, writes Cathy O’Sullivan.
It’s the day the world goes green, and on St Patrick’s Day New Zealand has its own reasons to sham-rock n’roll on Ireland’s national day.
Ireland and New Zealand, two small island nations at the opposite ends of the Earth, share much history.
The waves of immigrants who left Ireland’s shores in the mid and late 19th century have made a lasting impact on Aotearoa, both culturally and economically.
Our national anthem God Defend New Zealand was written by Monaghan-born Thomas Bracken. The Treaty of Waitangi was signed on behalf of the Crown by Waterford-born William Hobson, and the captain of the Original All Blacks, Dave Gallaher, came from County Donegal.
And for 12 years, New Zealand was split into three provinces
called New Ulster (North Island), New Munster (South Island) and New Leinster (Stewart Island).
Around one in every six New Zealanders claims Irish descent and this country continues to be a favoured destination for Irish immigrants in the 21st century.
Today, New Zealand and Ireland have close co-operation on trade, foreign policy issues such as climate change, disarmament and human rights and each country looks to each other on ways to preserve their native languages.
And so as St Patrick’s Day is celebrated throughout the world, in New Zealand, the day is marked by communities from the top of the North Island to the bottom of the South.
Events to mark Ireland’s day include the biggest St Patrick’s parade in the Southern Hemisphere in Auckland’s Ponsonby as well as a fundraising ball in aid of Mercy Hospice and the New Zealand Gaelic Games championship finals.
In Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, the cities’ Irish Societies open their doors on St Patrick’s Day with family friendly celebrations planned during the day and into the evening.
Auckland’s iconic Sky Tower will also turn green, as part of a ‘Global Greening’ of world landmarks such as the ancient Colosseum in Rome, the London Eye in Britain and Niagara Falls in Canada.
Also going green in New Zealand this year are Auckland War Memorial Museum, Eden Park and the Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington.
And in local pubs and communities around New Zealand, the Irish and those ‘Irish for a day’ will be wetting the shamrock and enjoying Irish music and dance.
So, on this St Patrick’s Day be proud of New Zealand’s Irish legacy, and know that while black is New Zealand’s colour, if you scratch the surface you’ll find it’s a little bit green.
For more information check out stpatrick.co.nz or look up your local Irish society or ask on Neighbourly.co.nz for more details on events taking place in your area.