The supposedly low-key approach to Waitangi Day celebrations by Masterton District Council has been explained by Jonathan Hooker, chairman of the Maori Liaison Task Group.
Mr Hooker said two reasons had been behind a decision made by the task group to hold over the recognition of Waitangi Day until Saturday when busloads of people had the opportunity to travel from the Cole St marae to the marae at Homewood on the Wairarapa coast.
He was responding to criticism received by the Times-Age from readers who believed the council had been lacklustre over recognising our national day.
Comments included: "Disappointing the local council has not contributed to allow Waitangi Day celebration in Masterton" and "we need another events organiser for Masterton".
Mr Hooker said decisions over Waitangi Day were made before he was task group chairman - during the term of the previous council - but that the reasons included the fact Carterton had organised a big celebration and a repeat event in Masterton would simply clash with it.
