John Spring

I was thinking about the relevance of the Auckland Anniversary Day, when we live in the Eastern Bay, but get a statutory holiday as well.

Not that I’m complaining, I don’t mind a holiday, for sure.

A bit of research tells us that Auckland Anniversary Day commemorates the arrival of Lieutenant-Governor William Hobson in 1840 and has evolved into a vibrant celebration of Auckland’s history and culture.

The first Auckland Anniversary Day regatta took place in 1841, shortly after the holiday was established. The event has become a central feature of the celebrations, showcasing Auckland’s maritime heritage.

The regatta has evolved over the years, originally featuring races between various types of boats, including whaleboats and canoes, and has grown into one of the largest sailing events in the world.

That’s all very well if you live in Auckland, but what about our history and our culture here in the Eastern Bay?

More research tells us the Eastern Bay is a region rich in history and culture, deeply connected to the Māori heritage of New Zealand.

It was one of the first parts of New Zealand to be settled by Māori, with the first inhabitant being Tiwakawaka, a grandson of Maui.

The region is home to several Māori tribes, including Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Awa and Whakatōhea, which are descendants of the Mataatua that made landfall in Whakatāne.

The Bay’s name, Bay of Plenty, was given by the English explorer Captain James Cook in 1769, named after the abundant food supplies he observed in the local Māori villages.

The region’s history is marked by the intermarriage of Māori and European settlers, leading to the formation of various iwi and the establishment of significant towns and cities.

The Bay’s coastline, with its golden beaches, marine life, and natural landmarks, continues to be an attraction for visitors and a source of inspiration for its people.

Wouldn’t it be more relevant to celebrate this amazing history and call it Eastern Bay of Plenty Anniversary Day.

The current name, Auckland Anniversary, won’t change, but we can rebrand it for ourselves.

We could have an event on the day in each main town in EBOP: Kawerau, Whakatāne and Ōpōtiki.

For example, a concert in Kawerau, a waka race and market day along the Whakatāne River, and a wild food festival in Ōpōtiki.

We have a unique history, including the amazing story of the naming of Whakatāne after Wairaka saved the Mataatua waka after it came adrift.

“Kia Whakatāne au i ahau  – “I must act like a man”.

We have amazing natural assets like the land, lakes, rivers, sea, and mountains.

But I think the best thing to celebrate is us, our whānau.

The Māori proverb says: he tangata, he tangata, he tangata. What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.

Happy Eastern Bay of Plenty Anniversary Day.