Politicians miss out as Waitangi powhiri performed early

By CLAIRE TREVETT

Tai Tokerau MP Dover Samuels had not planned to go to Te Tii Marae until today.

But yesterday he was there trying to persuade Ngapuhi elders not to perform the official powhiri (welcome) a day early. He failed, and the nation's political leaders missed the event.

He said the last-minute announcement by the elders that the powhiri would be held a day early was "bizarre and unprecedented".

Mr Samuels said elders were still debating whether any powhiri would be performed for Prime Minister Helen Clark, expected to arrive in Waitangi this afternoon.

Some believed a truncated powhiri was appropriate because it was a breach of Maori protocol not to recognise leaders.

Activist Titewhai Harawira said anyone could go onto the marae, but the kaumatua were "very firm" that no powhiri would take place.

Despite some warnings that Helen Clark would be safer to stay away from Waitangi this year, Ms Harawira said she would welcome the Prime Minister.

"I have always welcomed the Prime Ministers, no matter who they are. I think it is important for her to be here."

But she could not say if there would be repeat scenes of her walking arm-in-arm with Helen Clark to the marae.

"If there is no powhiri there is no escort needed. But that depends on the instructions of the taumata kaumatua."

However, she had "no idea" of the reception National leader Don Brash would get at Waitangi. She said he had not been invited to Te Tii.

"He is of no consequence. There has been no panui [notice] that has gone out to him."

Green MPs Jeanette Fitzsimons, Rod Donald, Sue Bradford, Metiria Turei and Nandor Tanczos also planned to visit Te Tii Waitangi Marae today.

Waitangi Day was expected to generate protests, from debate on the marae to public protests, because of the Government's foreshore and seabed proposals.

Dr Bruce Gregory , a member of the Taumata kaumatua o Ngapuhi nui-tonu (council of tribal elders), said panui were also sent to mid-North Island iwi asking them to bring MPs Georgina te Heuheu, Tariana Turia and Nanaia Mahuta to Waitangi.

However, although he had been involved in organising the day, he would not be going to Waitangi this year, for the first time in 20 years.

He would not say why, simply that he had another matter to attend to.

A Whangarei-based group, Network Waitangi, planned to hand out leaflets calling the Government's draft foreshore and seabed policy a repeat of the 19th century confiscation of Maori land and resources.

It says commercial interests and private owners would be to blame for blocking people from the beaches and foreshore, "not Maori, who have generously shared the foreshore for 163 years."