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The Maori King has been accused of snubbing the country's largest iwi after declining an invitation to Waitangi commemorations at Te Tii Marae.
The Weekend Herald understands that King Tuheitia will not attend a welcome at Waitangi on Monday, despite travelling to Northland this weekend for the opening of a dining hall at Dargaville's Oturei Marae.
The decision has thrown Waitangi's lower marae into disarray with preparations already under way to welcome Maoridom's new monarch. It has also been seen as a snub to kaumatua of the high-profile marae, leaders of the country's largest iwi, Ngapuhi.
Ngapuhi kaumatua Kingi Taurua said the marae was expecting the King, with food ordered and programmes printed in anticipation of his welcome, scheduled for 4pm on Monday.
A letter or invitation had been sent to the King last month with confirmation of its receipt received this week.
"The talk was that he was coming. I was under the impression he had already accepted. This can only be taken as a snub."
King Tuheitia is leading a large delegation to Oturei Marae tomorrow for the opening of a new whare kai. The group, however, will return to the Waikato the same day, rather than making the 90-minute journey to Waitangi.
Mr Taurua said the visit of the new monarch was of particular significance for Ngapuhi because of his whakapapa links with the North. King Tuheitia's father, Whatumoana Paki, is of Far North Te Aupouri descent.
Turangawaewae Marae spokesman Tom Moana said there had not been an agreement to accept the invitation. "There was never any plan to go to Te Tii." It was not a given that the King attended the Waitangi celebrations.
