The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Colour and costume as annual Waitangi Day celebrations return to Perthshire
CULTURE: Scots and Kiwis unite for dinner and dance on special evening
The annual Waitangi Day celebrations hosted by the New Zealand Society of Scotland returned to Perthshire at the weekend.
The event was held at the Murrayshall Hotel in Scone on Saturday evening and included a dinner and a dance.
The New Zealand Society was also joined in their celebrations by the High Commissioner of New Zealand to the UK, Jerry Mateparae.
The celebrations kicked off with a performance by a group of Maori people before speeches, the dinner and ceilidh dancing began.
The event was open to anyone who wished to attend, and was not exclusively aimed at New Zealanders.
President of the New Zealand Society of Scotland Ereti Mitchell said: “We want to maintain relations between Scotland and New Zealand.
“It is usually a good mix of Scottish people and Kiwis, and it is lovely.
“It is very special being able to celebrate it here and being able to celebrate it with people here.
“It is a special way of sharing our culture.”
She added it was “very special” to have had the high commissioner in attendance at the celebrations.
Waitangi Day is usually celebrated on February 6 to commemorate the signing of what is known as New Zealand’s founding document.
It was signed on February 6 1840 on behalf of the British Crown and by Maori Chiefs.
It is commemorated each year in New Zealand and is a national holiday.
The first celebrations held by the New Zealand Society of Scotland took place in 2007, and have continued since.
There are also events held in London to commemorate Waitangi Day, such as a ball at the Waldorf Astoria which Ms Mitchell also attended.