Explanation - The Treaty of Waitangi

 The Treaty of Waitangi

The Treaty of Waitangi is a historical document that was signed by the Maori chiefs and the British Government on the 6th of February, 1840 at Waitangi.

There are three main articles about Kawanatanga, Tino rangatiratanga, and the protection of rights and privileges. 

In the first article, The Maori chiefs agreed to give the Queen of England sovereignty over Aotearoa. This meant that the Queen would have the right to make NZ laws 

In the second article, the Maori had their rights to land and resources and food. If Maori had to get the food they had to hunt for cows or fish and sometimes they sold it, but they offered it to the Queen first.   

In the third article, the Maori Chiefs asked the Queen for protection. The Queen agreed to protect them from people who broke the laws.   

By Junior - Room 10                                                                                                            

Diwali, the festival of lights

 To celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights, Room 10 was asked to write an explanation of what Diwali was. After doing some research, here is what Avania wrote about Diwali.

Explanatin Writing 

                                                          

Diwali - The Festival of Lights 

Diwali is a prominent Hindu, Jains, Sikh, and Buddhist festival celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and

certain Buddhists, particularly Newar Buddhists. The celebration is held during the Hindu lunisolar

month Kartika and lasts for five days.

During Diwali, people dress up in their best clothes for Diwali, decorate their homes with diyas and rangoli,

hold worship ceremonies for Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and wealth, light fireworks, and share

mithai (sweets) and gifts.

The first day of Diwali is called Dhanvantari trayodashi or Dhanteras. On that day Lord Dhanwantair

( God of medicine ) came out of the ocean with the science of Ayurveda of Mankind. 

The second day of  Diwali is Naraka Chaturdashi. Naraka Chaturdashi is a Hindu festival that takes place

on the Krishna Paksha's Chaturdashi in the Shalivahan Shaka Hindu calendar month of Ashwin. 

The third day of Diwali is called Lakshmi Puja, the people of Diwali will pray to the Goddess of wealth

for her blessing and wish for health, wealth, and prosperity. But at Diwali, there is a time she is active

and when she is not active to listen to your prayers, the time she will be active will begin at 6:09 to 8:04

when she will not be active. 

The fourth day is Govardhan Puja. On this day Lord Krishna asked the people of Vrindavan to pray to

Giri Govardhan, the hill, instead of Indra. 

The last day of Diwali is dedicated to brothers and sisters and is celebrated as Bhai Dooj. It's based on the

belief that in the Vedic Era, Lord of  death, Yama, once visited his sister Yamuna. He gave a boon that

whoever visits her sister on that day, would be liberated of all his sins and will achieve moksha.

This joyous occasion honors the triumph of light over darkness,  good over evil and right over wrong,

as well as the strength of liberty, hope, and knowledge. Families and friends would generally gather to

feast, exchange gifts, and pray while lighting their houses with diyas on this important day.

By Avani