Timing of gun salute for Queen questioned

WAITANGI: A 21gun salute marking the anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne is being criticised for being held on the same day as Waitangi Day.

The planned salute at Waitangi and Point Jerningham, in Wellington, is being carried out today to mark the anniversary of the beginning of the reign of Elizabeth II, New Zealand’s head of state.

But two Wellington city councillors have questioned whether the salute is appropriate on the same day the nation acknowledges Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Cr Tamatha Paul said Waitangi Day was a day to reflect on shared history and the partnership between the Crown and Maori.

‘‘Gun salutes are really inappropriate given the damage and carnage caused by guns and the whole process of colonisation.

‘‘Whether guns were in the hands of the Crown or Maori to ourselves, I think a lot of needless pain occurred when guns came to New Zealand.

‘‘So I think the symbolic nature of a gun salute on a day that’s highly controversial, and that asks us to reflect on our history as a country, is really distasteful.’’

A Defence Force spokesman said it was coincidental the anniversary of the accession occurred on February 6.

‘‘The accession occurred on the death of the Queen’s father, King George VI, on February 6, 1952 and has been marked since then in New Zealand and around the Commonwealth.

‘‘It is an annual, longstanding tasking and carried out on behalf of the New Zealand Government.’’

Firing salutes grew from naval tradition. A warship would fire its cannon to show its guns were empty and it had no hostile intent, the Defence Force spokesman said.

City councillor and Maori partnerships portfolio leader Jill Day shared Cr Paul’s concerns.

‘‘It’s really the symbolism around the guns being used, obviously it’s tradition, but for Maori the introduction of guns into the country didn’t have a good impact.’’