New Zealand’s national day, commemorated with a public holiday on February 6 each year – is different from the national days of many other countries.  It doesn’t celebrate a declaration or statute of independence at the end of a conflict or revolution or following a decolonization process, and it doesn’t celebrate a first landing or discovery, and there are no fireworks or parades.  Instead, the day commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi between the British Crown and Māori chiefs on that day in 1840.  The Treaty was the basis for the establishment of the colonial government in New Zealand and guaranteed that Māori rights in relation to their lands and other resources and treasures would be protected.

New Zealand  is an island nation in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. The country geographically comprises two main landmasses—that of the North Island, or Te Ika-a-Māui, and the South Island, or Te Waipounamu—and numerous smaller islands. New Zealand is situated some 1,500 kilometres (900 mi) east of Australia across the Tasman Sea and roughly 1,000 kilometres (600 mi) south of the Pacific island areas of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga. Because of its remoteness, it was one of the last lands to be settled by humans.

New Zealand is a developed country and ranks highly in international comparisons of national performance, such as health, education, economic freedom and quality of life. Besides, New Zealand is a member of the United Nations, Commonwealth of Nations, ANZUS, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Pacific Islands Forum, and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.

Now let's send messages of congratulations to New Zealand !

According to blogs.loc.gov

Source of photos: Internet