There was a show of political force at the koroneihana on Sunday, with most of the political parties - except NZ First and Act - sending leaders, MPs and candidates along to Tūrangawaewae Marae in Ngāruawāhia.
This included Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, who was seated on the mahau [porch] of the wharenui Mahina-a-rangi, National leader Chris Luxton, Marama Davidson from the Greens, Māori Party co-leaders Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, and even Vision NZ leader Brian Tamaki.
![Prime Minister Chris Hipkins watches from the mahau of Mahina-a-rangi as National leader Christopher Luxon speaks at Tūrangawaewae Marae. Photo / Whakaata Māori](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/4F3QVWKGKREPPO3SHZM3ZTECHQ.png?auth=8b3e7edd540035aec014b4d13184d6b6fe52a9a9d50d22725830bc7ce14d1427&width=16&height=9&quality=70&smart=true)
Che Wilson, former Te Pāti Māori president and the new chairman of the Tekaumārua, the King’s Council, was quick to instruct those present.
“Don’t treat Māori as a political football,” he said.