At yesterday's celebrations at Oamaru's Te Whare Koa Community Marae, Cr Jim Hopkins suggested, to a crowd of more than 50 people, that New Zealand honour its heroes on Waitangi Day, shifting the emphasis from New Year's Eve, when the New Year honours were announced, to a day which carried much more significance for the nation.
``What a wonderful thing that would be. What a fantastic way to celebrate service, achievement and community all wrapped up in a way we address the day.''
In 2013 The Dominion Post reported then-Labour leader David Shearer wanted to scrap New Year honours and replace them with Waitangi Day ones.
Too often Waitangi Day was defined by conflict and Mr Shearer said he was tired of it.
``While there are legitimate issues to debate for Maori and Pakeha alike, Waitangi Day should be the day where we focus on what we have to celebrate as a country.''
In 2012, The New Zealand Herald gave room for historian Buddy Mikaere to write of ways the national day could be invigorated and turned into something of significance for all, rather than being viewed as just a day off work.
``Let's get rid of honours being given out at New Year and on the Queen's birthday. These are national New Zealand awards, so they should be given out on this day of our nationhood''.
Mr Hopkins also spoke of the positive experience he had when greeted at Te Whare Koa Community Marae.
``This has been fantastic. The idea of the hongi - we share the same air, the same paths and the same future if we can embrace that together.
``I think it starts with understanding and respect.''
