Treaty roadshow will not start from Waitangi

A tour of the country involving the Treaty of Waitangi should have started at its birthplace, organisers of the national day's commemorations say.

A replica of the original Treaty of Waitangi will embark on a 35-town tour of the country on January 14.

But the Treaty 2 U roadshow won't hit Waitangi - where the original treaty was first signed by Maori chiefs on February 6, 1840 - until the last days of the tour on May 13 and 14.

Waitangi Day organising committee chairman and New Zealand First MP Pita Paraone is disappointed that the tour did not start in Waitangi on February 5 or 6.

Mr Paraone suggested such a start for the tour during consultation for the roadshow but his wish has not been taken up.

"It will be in Porirua on Waitangi Day, which to me is a wasted opportunity. The importance of Waitangi as the place where the treaty was signed ... could have been reflected in the launching of the roadshow from there," he said.

"They had an opportunity to take a symbolic approach. We are trying to rejuvenate the nation's knowledge and understanding of the Treaty."

He said February 5, when Maori chiefs started gathering to sign the treaty in front of the Waitangi Treaty House in 1840, or February 6 - Waitangi Day - would both have been suitable days for the launch.

Waitangi Day was when the entire country's focus was on Waitangi, giving the tour maximum publicity at the very start.

"Often that focus is for the wrong reasons. But this roadshow would have been an opportunity to refocus the whole day on the treaty and its history," he said.

The roadshow includes replicas of the original nine treaty documents that have been artificially aged.

It is backed by three organisations charged with keeping the country's historical treasures: the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Archives New Zealand and the National Library, supported by the treaty information unit of the State Services Commission.

Te Papa director of history and Pacific cultures Claudia Orange sympathised with Mr Paraone but said the launch of the tour could not be delayed to start at Waitangi on February 5 or 6.

"We are ready to go now. We wanted to go around the country for as long as possible. There is a blessing at Te Papa (today) then it opens in Taupo on Saturday," Ms Orange said.

The organisers considered starting the tour at Waitangi on February 6 but "we would have lost those four weeks, which is too valuable".

Ms Orange said it was appropriate that the tour should finish at Waitangi.

"People are going to find this an interesting exhibition. It's a serious subject, but it's a very interactive and fun exhibition. This will be a teaser for people to have a look and hopefully learn more about the treaty."

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI)