The Kīngitanga is officially welcomed to the Waitangi grounds and Labour MPs keep up with waka-paddling traditions. Video / Alyse Wright
Waitangi organisers are hopeful planned protests from those behind last year’s enormous hīkoi to Parliament won’t disrupt today’s pōwhiri for Government and Opposition MPs.
Tens of thousands are expected at Waitangi’s Treaty Grounds today as ministers from National, Act and New Zealand First front up to Northland’s Māori leaders on their policies, some of which have received widespread opposition such as Act’s Treaty Principles Bill.
Unlike last year, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will not face the crowds at Waitangi, choosing to celebrate the country’s national day in the South Island.
It leaves coalition partners David Seymour and Winston Peters, who were both heckled during last year’s pōwhiri, to represent the Government and likely hear concerns from those in Māoridom who oppose bills being progressed that impact Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Leaders of the Toitu Te Tiriti group who organised last year’s hīkoi have arranged for supporters to meet near Waitangi’s Te Tii Marae mid-morning today so it could align with the timing of the Parliament pōwhiri, set to begin at 11am for representatives of the Government as well as Labour and the Green Party.
The 1000-strong Toitu te Tiriti hīkoi was one of the features of Waitangi Day celebrations in 2024. Photo / Michael Cunningham
Little information had been made public about the group’s intentions but Waitangi National Trust chief executive Ben Dalton said organisers had been heavily involved in planning for this week’s events and hoped they wouldn’t completely disrupt proceedings.
“Protest by its very nature is aimed at a degree of disruption and as long as we’re able to carry out our obligations as a host, that’s fine.”
Asked if he believed the group would allow the hosts to do so, Dalton said: “I’m hoping so.”
It was understood Seymour arrived in Waitangi late yesterday. In the lead-up to Waitangi Day celebrations, members of Seymour’s hapū, Ngāti Rēhia, advised their relative not to attend this year in light of the legislation he was promoting, such as the Treaty Principles Bill which aimed to re-define the Treaty’s principles.
“To be honest, my life would have been easier if [Seymour] didn’t come, but he’s coming and he’ll get the same manaakitanga [care/respect] that we give to everyone,” Dalton said.
Asked if he thought Seymour shouldn’t have come, Dalton refrained from giving an opinion.
While Seymour’s bill was likely to get several mentions, Dalton said he preferred to hear more from the Government about how it would support Māori.
“I think, to be honest, we’ve heard enough about the Treaty Principles Bill‚ we know where everyone stands on it,” Dalton said, a nod to National and NZ First saying they wouldn’t support the bill into law.
“Personally, I’d like to hear where [the Government is] taking the country this year.
“What are we going to do about housing, which is still a huge problem and it seems to have dropped off the agenda.
“What are you going to do about our infrastructure in this area, what are you going to do about the health system up here?”
Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka will be a pivotal representative of the Government at today's pōwhiri. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Yesterday, Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka announced $200 million to support Māori housing projects across the country that would help deliver about 400 rentals in high-need areas by the end of June 2027.
Speaking to the Herald yesterday, Potaka said he would use today’s pōwhiri to listen to the observations of Northland iwi members and those from across the country who were “not short of giving unsolicited feedback on their concerns”.
However, he would also articulate the Government’s “very strong economic growth agenda”, citing his earlier housing announcement.
On the prospect of protests directed at the Government, Potaka said he expected the hosts to afford the manuhiri [visitors] the necessary respect, while managing “some of the excitement and passion that attendees bring to the occasion”.
Adam Pearse is a political reporter in the NZ Herald Press Gallery team, based at Parliament. He has worked for NZME since 2018, covering sport and health for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei before moving to the NZ Herald in Auckland, covering Covid-19 and crime.
