Tribe honours Peters

The tribe of New Zealand First leader Winston Peters honoured him in Whangarei with a ceremony to mark his appointment as Foreign Minister.

About 80 people attended the event on Sunday.

Ngati Wai Trust Board chairman Laly Haddon said Ngati Wai had always supported Mr Peters and it was not concerned about the criticism he faced over accepting a ministerial portfolio.

"We just wanted to show our appreciation, particularly as a Maori who is representing the country in the office that he holds.

"And we do honour him being from Ngati Wai."

Mr Peters had been involved in Ngati Wai's fight for land retention in the 1970s, a precursor to Whina Cooper's land march, Mr Haddon said.

Members of Ngati Hine, which is closely linked to Ngati Wai, also attended Sunday's event, held at the Northland Polytechnic marae. The tribe held a similar celebration when he was made Maori Affairs Minister in 1990.

Ngati Wai numbers about 7000.

Its rohe stretches from Cape Brett in the north to Pakiri and takes in coastal islands including the Poor Knights.