Little tension in most peaceful Waitangi Day for years

UPDATE - It may have been the bad weather or it may have been the influence of the fledgling Maori Party as it looks for political mana in its chase for seven seats in this year's general election.


Whatever the reason, the 165th commemoration this weekend of the signing of the treaty of Waitangi in 1840 will go down in history as one of the most peaceful in years.


There were protests but little tension.


There were face-offs but no violence.


Several of the radicals of previous years had become of the moderates and peacemakers of today - including Hone Harawira who is standing for the Maori Party against Labour's Dover Samuels in Te Tai Tokerau, and Mike Smith, most famous for attacking Auckland's historic pine on One Tree Hill.


Both men consistently urged restraint.


When the Destiny Church performed a strong haka on the marae grounds on Saturday, local Maori accepted the challenge and a fierce, face to face confrontation ensued. Mike Smith was a calming voice and tried to stop agitated Maori from responding to the Destiny challenge.


Hone Harawira told protesters in front of the Whare Runanga on the Treaty House grounds they could not move forward as a positive nation without being united.


Then he told a large group of protesters, they needed to be strong in mind and should give up smoking and drugs.


There was only one arrest for the entire weekend -- a pakeha youth who threw himself in front of opposition leader Don Brash's car yesterday as he left the Te Tii Waitangi Marae.


It left the large contingent of police very happy that most people had come to Waitangi to enjoy the day and witness the protest.


"We have seen this year probably the most peaceful, the most welcoming and the most law abiding Waitangi Day for some years," said the police Far North area commander, Inspector Mike Rusbatch.


About 80 police surrounded the flagstaff in the Treaty House grounds today -- traditionally the site of action and violence as the protesters try to raise their own flag.


By midday, as the navy frigate HMNZS Te Mana fired a 21-gun salute in honour of New Zealand's national day, close to 2000 protesters had gathered in two groups on the Treaty House grounds.


There the protest departed significantly from those of previous years.


In other years the protesters would have had an ugly physical confrontation with police.


This year they fronted up to the Maori wardens who lined up between the police and the protesters.


They taunted the police but made no move to get physical.


"In my heart, in myself, I was so relieved," Maori warden Tema Napia said.


"They have abused Maori wardens but they have never broken through that line," he said.


It was also a weekend when Dr Brash was far more publicly visible than Prime Minister Helen Clark.


Dr Brash visited the Te Tii Marae yesterday and was seated between Maori activist Tame Iti and Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki.


After his speech he was thanked with a song led by veteran activist Titewhai Harawira.


Dr Brash also attended the dawn service at the Whare Runanga on the Treaty House grounds, leading a prayer when he asked for forgiveness for the last 165 years for the failings of the country's forbears.


"All of us have fallen short of what we should have done in the last 165 years and it is appropriate to acknowledge that and to confess that sin," he said after the service - noted for its tight programme and lack of political content.


Prime Minister Clark had one public outing - a 15 minute walkabout around the sports reserve next to the hotel.


She hosted a private breakfast for VIPs today and attended the Governor-General's cocktail function last night but refused to visit Te Tii marae after she was jostled and pushed last year.


"I am very happy with the arrangements I have had. I have had a good breakfast and talked to a lot of people last evening.


"I made a decision about what it is appropriate for me to do. I am very happy with that decision. I am absolutely confident I have made the right decision," she said.


- NZPA