Waitangi Day: A bridge between two worlds

When I stand at the Treaty grounds in Waitangi and witness the pōwhiri, surrounded by whānau from every corner of Aotearoa, I am moved by something profound. As a Sikh Kiwi Indian New Zealander who has called this country home since 1987, Waitangi Day has become one of the most meaningful occasions in my life, not despite my heritage, but because of it.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi, signed in 1840 as a covenant of partnership and protection between Māori and the Crown, is not merely a historical document. It is a living promise that shapes the kind of nation we are building together. And as someone whose ancestors knew the pain of broken promises, I understand what it means when agreements are not honoured.

A Shared History of Sovereignty

Sikhs once governed our own empire in Punjab. Under Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the early 1800s, the Sikh Empire flourished as a sovereign state renowned for religious tolerance and pluralism. Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs lived and served together in his court. The Maharaja, known as Sher-e-Punjab (the Lion of Punjab), was recognised in a 2020 BBC World Histories Magazine poll as the greatest leader of all time—a testament to his vision of unity in diversity.

But in 1849, following wars and treaties that were ultimately dishonoured, the British Empire annexed Punjab. Our sovereignty vanished. That loss remains etched in our collective memory, passed down through generations. It shapes how we understand what it means when indigenous peoples fight to protect their rights, their land, and their mana.

Blood Shed on Foreign Shores

My family's connection to this part of the world runs deeper than many might imagine. My father served in the Royal British Air Force and fought alongside ANZAC forces. He was one of hundreds of thousands of Sikh soldiers who served in both World Wars. Over 80,000 Sikhs died in World War I alone. Our turbans and beards became familiar sights in the trenches of Gallipoli, the deserts of North Africa, and the jungles of the Pacific.

Photo: Supplied

When I attend Waitangi Day commemorations, I think of my father's service and sacrifice. I think of the Sikh soldiers who fought and died believing in values of justice and partnership. That legacy of service connects me to this land and to the deeper meaning of what we commemorate each February.

Why Te Tiriti Matters to All New Zealanders

Some ask why migrants should care about Te Tiriti. The answer is simple: because integrity matters. Because when we choose to make Aotearoa our home, we inherit not just its beauty and opportunities, but also its responsibilities and its history.

Honouring Te Tiriti is not about division or dwelling in the past. It is about having the courage to acknowledge where promises were broken and the wisdom to do better going forward. It is about recognising that Māori are tangata whenua - the people of this land, and that true partnership requires us to listen, learn and act with respect.

For those of us who come from communities that have experienced colonisation, supporting tino rangatiratanga and Te Tiriti is not a burden. It is an act of solidarity rooted in our own struggles for dignity and self-determination.

Building a Stronger Nation Together

In our local community, honouring Te Tiriti means supporting te reo Māori education in our schools, ensuring Māori have genuine influence in decisions affecting their whenua and waterways, and creating spaces where all voices, Māori, Pasifika, Asian, Pākehā can contribute to our shared future.

Aotearoa is strongest when it faces its history honestly and chooses partnership over prejudice. We build trust not by ignoring difficult truths, but by addressing them with open hearts.

As the son of a man who served alongside ANZACs, as a descendant of a community who lost their sovereignty, and as a grateful resident of this land, I stand for dignity, justice and enduring commitment to our shared values.

When a nation keeps its word, it becomes truly great. When we honour Te Tiriti, we honour the best of who we can be.

Kia kaha te Tiriti. God bless Aotearoa and all our whānau.