The waka crews take part in the celebrations on a wet and cold Waitangi Day. Photo / Dean Purcell
The waka crews take part in the celebrations on a wet and cold Waitangi Day. Photo / Dean Purcell
Wet and blustery weather has failed to keep the crowds away from Waitangi with hundreds pouring on to the Treaty Grounds.
The grounds and its surrounds are buzzing with people of all ethnicities enjoying the festivities on what marks 174 years since the Treaty of Waitangi was signed.
Labour Leader David Cunliffe and Maori Affairs spokesman Shane Jones help out.
Amongst the crowds were Labour Leader David Cunliffe and his Maori Affairs spokesman Shane Jones who, despite the weather, "had a bit of a splash at the beach" helping haul in a waka.
"The waka master Hector Busby decided it was cutting up too rough to leave this very, very precious waka out on the water so they called for volunteers to help pull it in," said Mr Cunliffe.
"Jonesy and me were in suits so off came the jackets, off came the shoes and socks and we rolled up our trousers and got into it.
"It was a lovely experience to part of it with the young rangatahi so it was a very special moment."
Earlier this morning a number of waka departed from the Te Tii shoreline in front of an appreciative audience with a group of about 20 elderly pakeha performing a haka for the kai hoe (paddlers).
A group opposed to deep sea mining in Te Reinga Basin completed their hikoi to the upper marae with a powhiri outside te whare runanga at Waitangi this afternoon with a peaceful but spirited demonstration.
Group spokesman Joel Bristow, who yesterday received an offer from Prime Minister John Key to go to Wellington to discuss his concerns about deep sea mining, said he was considering the invitation.
"We were here to deliver a message and not cause distraction as John Key initially said."
"It was about delivering a message to our people that is we are trying to offer alternatives to our economy and environment."
Also at the upper marae at Waitangi were Ian and Katherine Kerr with their son Jake.
The family from near Kerikeri said Waitangi was a "quintessential New Zealand experience" that Kiwis should participate in before heading overseas.
"It's a bit quieter this year, we were hoping to get warmed up by a bit of hot korero actually," said Mr Kerr.
"I get tired of people saying on talkback that it's bad here, these people need to get here and get into it and see what it's all about."
Dozens more are enjoying the stalls below the golf course at Waitangi.
"It's been an awesome day," said Megan Vercoe, 16 of Ruakaka who has come to Waitangi for the festivities for the first time.
"I think all New Zealanders should come here and see it for themselves, it's a special experience."
New Zealand's largest iwi is seeking the biggest ever Treaty settlement - $500m to $600m.
Ngapuhi runanga chair Sonny Tau gave that figure as he responded to Prime Minister John Key's offer during his Waitangi Day speech of an interim financial payment to incentivise Ngapuhi to settle quickly.
Following Mr Key's speech, Mr Tau said that because Ngapuhi was four times larger than Tainui, Ngai Tahue or Tuhoe which had settlements of about $170 million, it was looking for a settlement four times larger.
"It's about $500 million or $600 million."
Ngapuhi is closing in on a deal with the Crown but a significant hurdle remains as the iwi has yet to fully agree on which body should handle the settlement.
"My challenge to all Ngapuhi today is this: put aside your differences", Mr Key said following this morning's dawn service at Waitangi.
"The Crown is ready and willing to negotiate with whovever you choose as your representatives."
Mr Key said he was keen to see a deal struck this year.
"If that can be done I am prepared to look at some form of payment on account to incentivise people to act in a positive and progressive manner."
Speaking to reporters after Mr Key speech, Mr Tau, the chairman of Te Runanga a Iwi o Ngapuhi said the offer wasn't solicited but it was welcome.
"Everybody knows that iwi when they go along the settlement route they have to pay for their things themselves. It's cost us $3.5 million to get where we are today. We've had no assistance and But Mr Tau said the payment was unlikely to speed up Ngapuhi's settlement process.
"The incentive for us is the drive to get our iwi grievances behind us and build an economic base for Ngapuhi."
Image 1 of 15: Waitangi Day dawn service held at the treaty grounds marae at Waitangi. Photo / Dean Purcell
Responding to the figures offered by Mr Tau, Mr Key said: "You've got to dream big but it doesn't mean we'll be writing a cheque for that amount".
Nevertheless,"It's going to be a big deal" he said.
Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson made the point the Crown had not yet recognised a properly-mandated Ngapuhi entity to conduct formal negotiations with.
The Government expects to make a decision on whether to recognise the runanga's Tuhoronuku mandate within weeks.
The waka crews take part in the celebrations on a wet and cold Waitangi Day. Photo / Dean Purcell
However opposition to Mr Tau's group negotiating of behalf of all Ngapuhi's hapu was clearly evident in the form of protests at Te Tii Marae yesterday.
"It's the size of that protest that matters'', Mr Tau said, "and we think that is insignificant."
But Crown recognition of the Tuhoronuku mandate is likely to trigger a Waitangi Tribunal claim by rival groups while the runanga is likely to also launch a claim of its own if it does receive recognition which could derail Mr Key's wish for swift progress.
