Waitangi Day 2025: Crown accused of having ‘filed for divorce’ from Māori during political dawn service

The controversial Treaty Principles Bill has been front and centre as politicians and leaders have gathered at the majestic Waitangi Treaty Grounds for a dawn service.

This morning’s ceremony at the Te Whare Rūnanga meeting house followed a lively and at times fiery Parliament pōwhiri yesterday.

Normally the Prime Minister would participate but Christopher Luxon is this year spending the day at Ōnuku Marae near Akaroa.

Methodist Church President Te Aroha Rountree referred to the Treaty Principles Bill during her speech this morning, noting changes to contracts require both parties’ agreement.

Of the bill, Rountree said it seemed the Crown had “filed for divorce” while Māori were “blissfully unaware”.

Her comments roused a sleepy crowd who broke into applause. Act leader David Seymour, the architect of the bill, didn’t appear to give any reaction to Rountree’s comments, which included describing his bill as “masquerading as equality for all”.

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When it was Seymour’s turn to speak, he told the gathered crowd that it was only through respect New Zealand would reach its potential and become the “true New Zealand”.

The crowd was largely settled during Seymour’s address. One faint “boo” could be heard from the masses on the Treaty Grounds.

Noone clapped at the end of his speech as they had done for others.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins told the crowd he hoped the spirits of those who signed the Treaty would lead us forward and assist in celebrating the country’s differences.

”May we increase our trust in one another and our understanding of one another,” Hipkins said as he called for a more united society.

Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad called on people to listen to young people who had “boundless potential”.

Yesterday saw somewhat fiery scenes at the Treaty Grounds, with Seymour twice having his microphone removed while speaking, and New Zealand First Minister Shane Jones suggesting the Government shouldn’t commit further funding to the Waitangi National Trust due to the “circus” pōwhiri it hosted.

Seymour’s speech, which appeared more combative than his previous addresses at Waitangi, provoked a crowd of protesters who had turned their back on the Act leader in a sign of opposition to his policies.

As Seymour accused his critics of “pouring poison” in the ears of young people, Ngātiwai leader Aperahama Edwards twice took away his microphone before it was quickly replaced each time by Ngāti Hine’s Waihoroi Shortland.

That interaction, together with an impassioned challenge by Ngāpuhi warriors to Seymour, led Jones to tell reporters he had lost enthusiasm for seeing more Government funding go to the Waitangi National Trust, which organised the annual festivities.

Trust board chairman Pita Tipene told the Herald Jones’ comments were “very unfortunate” and was seeking an audience with the NZ First minister to discuss the matter.

Live coverage of Waitangi’s Dawn Service provided by Whakaata Māori

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.