Sandy Myhre: Reflections on the role of women, leadership at Waitangi

Prime Minister Jacinda Adern speaks on the upper marae at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds earlier this month. Photo / Michael Cunningham

COMMENT

It's 2021 and New Zealand has a woman Prime Minister and a woman leader of the Opposition who both attended ceremonial functions at the Waitangi Treaty grounds to celebrate our national day.

With two women at the political helm it's deja vu but with significant differences.

In 1998 when Jenny Shipley was Prime Minister, she attended the dawn ceremony before heading back to Wellington for official commemorations.

Helen Clark, as leader of the Opposition, attended Te Tii marae and was brought to tears when challenged about her right as a woman to speak there.

This year the Prime Minister, Jacinda Adern, delivered an address from the entry platform of the Whare Rūnunga on the Waitangi Treaty grounds.

Only men can speak on the courtyard in front so speaking for Judith Collins was the deputy leader of the Opposition Dr Shane Reti.

Afterward it was announced Judith Collins, as leader of the Opposition, would be afforded the right to speak in 2022.

It's an illustration the atmosphere at Waitangi has changed over the past few years to that of a more benevolent climate. Many suggest it's due to the inclusive approach adopted by Jacinda Adern following two angst-ridden previous years.

Two former Prime Ministers refused to attend when they were denied speaking rights at Te Tii Marae - John Key in 2016 (the year of the infamous "rubber dildo incident" with Steven Joyce) and Bill English in 2017.

National Party and Opposition leader Judith Collins (right) with Ngapuhi matriarch Titewhai Harawira and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at Te Whare Runanga at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds on February 4. Photo / Michael Cunningham

What motivated the current Prime Minister to change the zeitgeist? Jacinda Adern, in fact, was somewhat unusual during her school years in that she grew up with an understanding of Waitangi Day because her parents took her to the Treaty grounds.

"My father was really into history and we came there for a visit and as well I had a teacher at Morrinsville College who taught it," Ardern said.

"We had the choice to learn that or Tudor England, so I learned New Zealand history at School Certificate level so for me, I had that meaning as a student of politics and I enjoyed it as family."

Further, when she became PM she had in-depth discussions with the Waitangi Trust, supported by the Māori MPs whose regional representation in Northland must be unique within New Zealand.

She says they "truly make it a parliamentarian opportunity and remove some of the politics".

As for the changes that have occurred, others say when Te Tii Marae lost commemoration hosting rights in 2017 - transferred to the upper treaty ground at Waitangi - it made a palpable difference.

Former Prime Minister Dame Jenny Shipley was a (non-speaking) guest at Waitangi celebrations 2021. Photo / Sandy Myhre

Still others, like former Prime Minister Dame Jenny Shipley, say a more cohesive relationship between Māori and the Crown had been building anyway.

"I think the PM's leadership has been valuable, but I think the time in which she is leading reflects a much greater willingness New Zealand-wide to understand each other's culture and move well past the nonsense of assimilation to respecting each other's differences and understanding what the Treaty meant," she said.

"It never meant the same, it meant together, and I think the PM has been able to pick up that theme in the way in which she is leading."

Another school of thought points to the growth of the Māori Party. By 2006 the party had won four of the seven Māori seats in Parliament and their presence and influence was paramount in changing the attitudes across all sectors.

After failing to win seats in the 2017 election, now they are back – but not at Waitangi 2021 because of the perceived risks of contracting Covid-19.

Protests in recent years have often been more hīkoi for a cause than dispute, despite television media's insistence otherwise, and likely to manifest in Jenny Shipley's words as "robust discussions and the theatrics of the marae".

There is still work still to be done and all speakers in 2021 made reference to it and to a long-awaited Ngāpuhi settlement which might help to bridge any perceived divide.

Ngati Hine leader Waihoroi Shortland at the upper marae, Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Added, however, was an admonition from Waihoroi Shortland of Ngāti Hine when speaking of the Treaty.

"Together we are a nation," he declared. "Don't misinterpret it again."

That's throwing down the gauntlet but debate, discussion, and working through issues is something Jacinda Adern says we should be able to do freely.

"Frankly, we should never be free of debate, to see the strength in that, and it's part of my memories of the place and we should have that."

• Sandy Myhre is regular contributor to the Northern Advocate.