The first week of the political year is always refreshing. The politicians seem better for the break and the public, so sick of their arguments by the end of the year, is almost hungry again after the holiday lull.
The mood is often quickly soured by challenges from Waitangi so it is good that the Ratana Church's annual celebrations of its founder's birth in the rural settlement of Ratana Pa has come to be an occasion for all parties.
Prime Minister Bill English praised the little marae near Whanganui for the warmth of the welcome they all received, a message that would not be lost on another small marae near Waitangi. English, to his very great credit, also managed to speak in halting Maori for three minutes.
He uttered much more than the few words of greeting most non-Maori politicians make it their business to learn. He has managed to pick up much more. But even so, it takes courage to speak at length in another language in front of television cameras.
His ability to do so would have sent another message to Te Tii marae at Waitangi, which was going to provide him with a Maori speaker for its powhiri in case he made a political speech. It is too late to reverse his decision not to go to the Treaty Ground this year since he has accepted an invitation from Ngati Whatua Orakei, but his effort at Ratana surely augurs well for Waitangi next year.
