Anzac Day: Remembering NZ's National Identity & Loss of Lives - Essay Sample

Introduction

Anzac is a national day that was meant for remembrance in New Zealand. It broadly commemorates the New Zealanders who participated in the war as well as the ones who lost their lives in peacekeeping operations. It most occasions, national identity is regarded as an of the form of an integral of social status. Before New Zealand was an invasion by the European settlement, the Maori tribes had a limited national identity until later in 1835 after the country was declared independent by the Confederation of the United Tribes. Regardless of these variables and challenges, it remained unclear if the actual identity that was embraced by the citizens. Besides, the introduction of the United Tribe's flag portrayed some sense of shared identity. The design of its national flag, which was based on seven significant judgments, such as cost of manufacture, utility, empire loyalty, history, heredity, federation, and distinctiveness. Notably, the assignation of the Treaty of Waitangi by Iwi revealed that the treaty was made for multiple nations but not single ones. This paper focuses on examining the contribution of ANZAC to the understanding of New Zealand's national identity and elements of the national story of Aotearoa, New Zealand.

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After New Zealand, a United Kingdom colony, and occupied mainly by British settlers, their relationship with Britain was a focus of identity. However, the loyalty that was attributed by New Zealanders saw the country playing an active role in shaping identity concerns. ANZAC's narrative on the New Zealand national identity was the creation of a stronger sense of spirit. The Anzac spirit was used as an exploration of the nature of unity the people portrayed during the war. Besides, it ensured an exceptional outline of what is expected from the people within the country's borders (Liu, 2015). However, the narrative ensured that they remain independent as a unit and embrace unity. For instance, through explanations of the impacts of war on the New Zealand sons and other significant bodies from superpowers, the New Zealand military base shifted their focus as well as shifted their heritage from the British (McCreanor, 2019). As a result, the Aborigines became the only real citizens because of their position of unique characteristics across millennia. Despite the country's brave rhetoric, they had never been comfortable and capable of standing independently to exploit their valuable features.

The Period that is examined in the narrative and which encompasses events in World War I while the spirit of Anzac joins the war shows a significant relationship in the quest for identity. As New Zealand engages in war with Germany after the declaration by Britain, it took them a couple of days to gain expeditionary force to maximize their efforts. The narrative used various values and explanations to ensure the conditions are addressed and built based on the intended history and identity. The story also captures different incidences of wars and nation-building process for equality by the Maori tribe. In looking at the spirit of Anzac and its importance to New Zealand, the narrator revealed that the national flag that had significant decorations on it contains the value of the country as well as the connection that it had with other neighboring nations (Liu, 2015). The story also explored the evolution that had been realized since the inception of the true Britons to what it is today. Remarkably, through the myth of the Anzac, credible revelations were understood that are meaningful in determining what constitutes a national identity and its significance to people. The introduction of the flag acted as a symbol of unity and honor.

Additionally, the narrative explored the nature of Maori during years of war and how they were treated. The imagination representation of Maori and its participation in the crises is a sign of movement for national identity. Notably, the Anzac values that were pronounced in the story helped New Zealand to become a nation through a tradition that does not relent or tread back away from war. It is a requisite for the fight to be won - the Anzac tradition praise and honor to the military body and a symbol of national integrity and concern. Besides, the narrative through the Anzac legend or the Anzac spirit maintained that the similarity in war tactics between the New Zealand soldiers and other neighboring countries was used to separate them for a standout unit that does not depend on others during hard times.

Moreover, the narrative also explored the position of Aotearoa and its need for promotion to a new colony. This New Zealand Company was formed to sell civilized dreams. The developments were also associated with divisions to attract investors after the collapse of the colonial era. According to McCreanor (2019), during the Gallipoli, it was clear that New Zealand did not doubt who they were. They regarded themselves as members of the superior British race whose sons have gone to fight for the British Empire and the King. They were dependent on the classic middle-class people that had significant variations in their lifestyles. The creation and maintenance of national identity require a nation or a country to do its daily operations without worrying too much of others. The confusion that was realized in fathoming the natives of New Zealand left numerous gaps unfilled. However, the narrative through the use of different symbols and myths ensured the realization of the national identity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the spirit of Anzac, which was realized in Australia, outlined the social, cultural, and economic links that exist between them. It boosted the work progress to make the future more fruitful than the past. Overall, the narrative promoted demonstration in solving disputes, equity, spirits of the corporation, and tolerance among Australians as a way of ensuring national integrity and identity. Patriotism is defined as working together for the success of the entire team.

References

Liu, J. H. (2015). History and identity: A system of checks and balances for Aotearoa/New Zealand. New Zealand identities: Departures and destinations, 69-87. Retrieved from: https://vup.victoria.ac.nz/new-zealand-identities-departures-and-destinations/

McCreanor, T., Wetherell, M., McConville, A., Moewaka Barnes, H., & Moewaka Barnes, A. (2019). New light; friendly soil: affective-discursive dimensions of Anzac Day commemorations in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Nations and Nationalism, 25(3), 974-996. Retrieved from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/nana.12474?af=R