I came to this country from England in 1973, and throughout the last 43 years I've never understood why the focus of our National Day is almost exclusively on Maori. For a few years the name was changed to New Zealand Day, far more appropriate because non-Maori are part of the country's history too, and should be celebrated in their cultural manner as well. The offensive shenanigans that occur most years at Waitangi demean the Crown and its ministers, and turn the celebrations into an embarrassing farce. Overseas visitors and new immigrants must surely shake their heads in dismay at the carry-on and lack of dignity. Perhaps a referendum could be held on returning February 6 to New Zealand Day so we can all feel that it's our day too, and not just a Maori one.

M Guy, Otumoetai.