Independence Day

Did you know that May 3 is New Zealand’s Independence Day? Queen Victoria’s Royal Charter/ Letters Patent dated November 16, 1840 was New Zealand’s true founding document and first constitution as it separated New Zealand from New South Wales dependency on May 3, 1841 and New Zealand became an Independent British Colony with its own governor and constitution to form a legal government under one flag and one law with courts and judged to enforce the law. While we celebrate the Treaty of Waitangi on February 6 every year, this day only gave sovereignty of New Zealand to Great Britain and tangata Maori the same rights as the people of England under the dependency of New South Wales. Queen Victoria or Lt Governor Hobson did not have the power or authority to give tangata Maori any special rights or privileges in the Treaty of Waitangi not already enjoyed by all the people of England and none were given. On May 3, 1841 New Zealand became an Independent British Colony under one flag and one law, irrespective of race, colour or creed. While this day was celebrated at the time, it has gone unnoticed ever since. We must once again all celebrate May 3 as our Independence Day. The day New Zealand became an Independent British Colony under one flag and one law, irrespective of race colour or creed. was that it was still waiting for more information. In view of our Prime Minister’s successful visit to China and the fact that there will be thousands upon thousands of new tourists coming to New Zealand during the coming years, I would like to know what the local councils are going to do about it. Therefore could someone that will actually tell us something answer the following questions?

have the councils contacted the Minister of Tourism (our PM) for help and advice?

are the councils in direct verbal conversations with the developers? has there been any progress? is there a timeline for this to happen?

I would hate to think that all these extra visitors will only go to Queenstown and miss out on seeing the real Southland and West Coast due to not having the road in place in time for the new wave of tourists. Opportunity abounds if the councils let it happen, and just think - more business, higher property values, higher rates - the councils can’t lose. Might even help pay for the cycle trail, but that’s another matter still to be resolved.