Pacific MPs reflect on tensions at Waitangi pōwhiri

New Zealand Members of Parliament were welcomed to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds on Wednesday morning with a pōwhiri, in the lead-up to Waitangi Day celebrations on Thursday.

However, the event quickly became contentious when ACT Party leader David Seymour’s speech was disrupted.

His microphone was taken away twice, and protesters turned their backs on him.

Political frictions emerge at Waitangi

Seymour, whose Treaty Principles Bill has been widely criticised for its proposed redefinition of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, The Treaty of Waitangi, remained defiant amid the interruptions.

“I'm very proud to be here today,” Seymour said.

“Some people can turn their back, but they can't turn their back on the very real challenges that we face - giving every kid in this country equal rights and equal opportunity.

“If you look across the Government's agenda, we are doing more to solve some of the challenges for all young New Zealanders, including young Māori, than perhaps some of the people who could only turn their back or take away microphones today [at Waitangi].”

Green Party MP Teanau Tuiono described the protest as “a beautiful way to demonstrate their disdain for what this Government is doing”.

Many turned their backs during David Seymour's speech. Photo/Joseph Safiti

“It’s a very divisive government trampling on the mana of the Treaty, trampling on the wishes of the people as well,” Tuiono said.

He criticised Prime Minister Christopher Luxon for not attending, saying, “Luxon needed to show up, to front the decisions that he is leading - he's not Prime Minister material.”

Luxon will not attend Waitangi at Treaty Grounds but will spend the day in Akaroa, Canterbury.

While commenting on the reactions to Seymour’s speech, Labour’s Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni said, “You never know what to expect when you come to Waitangi, but I think particularly this year, and I've been coming here for a long time, clearly tensions are high and for good reason.

“There were things that happened today that I've never seen happen before, including the turning of the backs of the iwi here on David Seymour," she said.

Green MP Teanau Tuiono says the protest showed people's "disdain for this government". Photo/Joseph Safiti

“I think David only showed up to Waitangi as a political grandstanding opportunity. He knew exactly what he was going to get.

“I don't see political courage in that, I see arrogance and I see political grandstanding.”

Pōwhiri a ‘circus’

Shane Jones, New Zealand First MP and Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, condemned the disruptions, calling the pōwhiri a “circus” and questioning whether future government funding for the Waitangi National Trust should continue.

But Seymour defended the Trust Board, calling it a “fabulous organisation”.

“This is a mistake I believe has been made for many years at Waitangi, to group all people together and allow some people to have their prejudices fanned by saying that the behaviour of some people represents all.”

Labour Leader Chris Hipkins with his party members following the pōwhiri. Photo/Ala Vailala

Tuiono fired back at Seymour’s comments, saying, “David Seymour can't read the room and certainly can't read the marae.

“He's only focused on his little niche [the Treaty Principles Bill] that is completely divisive. Not even his coalition partners want this bill.

“Why is he continuing to waste putea, waste our time and incite outrage across the motu?

“[New Zealand First] really highlighted the fact that they're not supporting the Treaty Principles Bill [during their speech]. Well, they should have done that before the first reading.

“They had an opportunity to end this at the first reading instead of giving Seymour exactly what he wants, which is six months of their time when we talk about his rubbish bill.”

NZ First MP Shane Jones has condemned the protests. Photo/Joseph Safiti

Seymour responded to New Zealand First comments about their stance on the bill.

“Well they've said it before, the funny thing is Margaret Thatcher once said, ‘if you have to tell people you are a lady, then you probably aren't’.

“And my question is, why do they feel the need to keep repeating it so often.”

A divisive Waitangi Day ahead?

With tens of thousands expected to gather at the Treaty Grounds in the coming days, Wednesday’s parliamentary pōwhiri sets the stage for a politically charged Waitangi Day.

Seymour remained steadfast, saying he would return next year despite the disruptions.

ACT Party leader David Seymour. Photo/Joseph Safiti

“What is important is that we keep on talking as a country. Some people disagree with what I said. That's absolutely fine.

“People have different views. It's when you try to intimidate them out of expressing their view or say that their view somehow has to reflect everyone who's got the same ancestry as them, those sort of things I disagree with," Seymour said.