Waitangi Day wrap: While only words were thrown, the targets weren't missed

Many of the memorable moments of past Waitangi Day have included some object being flung at an unpopular MP or prime minister, and it was anticipated something would surely be hurled at any one of the heads of the coalition government.

But this year the weapons were words - and these were fired from many angles.

An estimated 45,000 people attended the commemoration events bringing record numbers and significant traffic delays.

And given the nationwide talks reacting to ACT Party leader David Seymour and his Treaty Referendum Bill, it was anticipated that his own iwi of Ngāpuhi, who have long contested with the Crown over Treaty settlements, were ready to row.

Onlookers on the bridge excitedly watch the annual waka exhibition and the world's largest ceremonial waka, Ngātokimatawhaorua Waka. Photo/RNZ

Political prattle

One of the early speeches came from Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka, National's only Māori speaker. He sought to redirect concerns that the House was slack in caring about Māori.

“It’s being said that Parliament is full of wolves, spiders or lions. But does this look like the face of a wolf, or a lion, or a spider? I think not.”

But a few from the crowd were quick to retort: “Āe!” (yes) in response.

Coalition Government receives a fierce Ngāpuhi pōhiri on to Te Whare Rūnanga Marae. Photo/PMN News

Far North community leader and former politician, Hone Harawira used his address to highlight that Seymour does not have the support he may have assumed.

“You want to cut the Treaty in front of all these people? Hell No! Not only will we not stand for it, Shane Jones ain’t gonna stand for it, sorry David. You’re on your own for this one mate.

“The thing you need to know is that when it comes time to see whether this is gonna go into legislation, you and your sh**** a** bill are going down the toilet.”

While prominent Māori lawyer and activist Annette Sykes accused Seymour of behaving manipulatively.

When it came to NZ First leader Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters' turn to speak, he started off by saying: “I will be brief as I have another important meeting to be at."

But this just spurred onlookers to begin heckling him and once his speech turned to chastising younger members of the Toi Tū e Tiriti movement, he was repeatedly told to “e noho” or sit down.

Toitū Te Tiriti activists perform Ngati Toa haka 'Ka Mate, Ka Mate' to the government as they enter onto marae ātea of Te Whare Rūnanga. Photo/PMN News

The ACT Party blindly broke Ngāpuhi kawa (protocol) when a woman spoke during the male-only speaking segment of the pōhiri. But ACT's Nicole Mckee defended her party’s approach, saying their intention was not to trample on the Treaty but seek unification for all people instead. This stirred murmurs from the the crowd, with Ngāpuhi kaumātua then standing, singing over her, cutting her speech off.

Seymour barely got his first sentence out before words like “ūpokokōhua” and “koretake” (useless) were shouted across the marae. His attempt to gaslight te reo Māori speakers into sympathising with Mckee backfired, as the peaceful activists drowned him out singing, “Whakarongo, e noho” - sit down and listen.

Luxon lacks lustre

As the afternoon heat sweltered, and the crowd was urged to “remain silent” for the prime minister’s response.

Reading from notes that were almost identical to his 2023 Waitangi speech, Luxon began by benignly talking about the Treaty and what he believed it meant to New Zealanders. He then switched into listing a series of campaign-esque policy goals around housing, education and school attendance before giving his 2040 vision.

“I’ve spoken a lot about education since becoming leader of the National Party and I will continue to do so, because it is the thing that worries me the most," he read.

From the mahau, behind the Ngā Tamatoa flag, Luxon speaks about his party promises with scant mention of the Treaty. Photo/PMN News/Atutahi Potaka-Dewes

He also spoke at length about truancy rates prompting Te Kiingitanga spokesperson Rahui Papa to respond during his kōrero to address the PM directly - in English.

Papa echoed past speeches delivered at Tuurangawaewae and Rātana about Luxon's unwavering fixation on school attendance.

“We want to say to you that that is fantastic but we shouldn’t just focus on the truancy question: We should focus on the systemic change that makes education sexy.

“We’ve got to figure out what makes them (children) go to school that makes our tamariki use the lakes and the rivers and moana and the maunga as their classroom in every community and context in the country.”

Watch Atutahi Potaka-Dewes' Pacific Days interview reflecting on her time in Waitangi:

Power of Pacific people

Former Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio led a delegation Pacific leaders who attended the event at the invitation of the Kīngi Tūheitia.

His reflection, shortly after proceedings had ended, was that Seymour needs to be more mindful of the legacy he’s leaving behind.

“So far what I’m hearing, it makes me nervous, it makes everybody nervous and there’s really genuine concern. I’m always suspicious of people who are bolstered by millionaires and people with money because that’s a colonial construct.”

Other prominent Pacific leaders, included political commentator Pakilau Manase Lua and the Mana Moana group, who brought some warmth and Pacific colour to the crisp, cool Waitangi dawn service.

Mana Moana group (L-R adults) Belinda Betham, Pakilau Manase Lua, Susana Lei'ataua, young kōhine, Te Hiwi Preston, Teari'i Kupa-Wichman, Karlo Mila, Christina Epati, and Chrissie Kupa-Wichman. Photo/PMN News

Unity, connection and understanding were some of the key messages they shared, with Auckland University's Matalaoa Lafaele Barlow (Matamatanonofo Falelatai/Falealili/Safotu/Manase - Samoa) affirming the importance of Tagata o le Moana uplifting indigenous values.

“We have to recognise that this is their land, they hold sovereignty. We need to uphold Te Tiriti and stand together in solidarity.

“We have bonds beyond this nation and that’s what I think we’re honouring, those ancestral bonds as well as what our future generations are gonna inherit."

Much of the talanoa shared from the Pacific attendees was about ensuring a strengthened and sustained relationship with Māori during turbulent times.

With 20 percent of the Pacific population in Aotearoa having whakapapa Māori, Aupito William Sio said in his speech that Pacific communities have a responsibility to work together with Māori.

“I think there is much more for Pacific peoples to learn about. We’ve got to learn and understand the suffering that Māori have received at the hands of the colonial powers because that’s the context we have to understand in order to know why Māori feel quite staunchly about what’s happening today.”

And while other politicians were dissed or drowned out, the former minister's kōrero on the pae about unity and ariki connections struck a chord with many in the crowd, who sought to congratulate him on delivering such a resonating and highly-favoured speech.

A Niue flag is spotted as the Hīkoi arrive to Te Whare Rūnanga Marae. Photo/PMN News/Atutahi Potaka-Dewes

Another Pacific leader, who travelled from the South Island, was Waitaki Deputy Mayor Hana Halalele, who talked about the need for Pacific voices to stand alongside Māori.

“It is just an opportunity for us to reflect and celebrate and be unified in terms of their stance for mana motuhake (self-determination) which is really important. We are Tagata o le Moana, so we got to stand together. Aotearoa is our home now.”

Host, actor and comedian Ronnie Taulafo (Sataua/Satupa’itea/Sala’ilua/Vaimea/Vaimoso - Samoa) who's partner is from Ngāti Hine (a Northland iwi), was another who shared the need for Pacific communities to stand with Māori in solidarity.

“Telling the crown, ‘no! We aren’t going to stand around idly and see our Māori brothers and sisters trampled upon’... Where we come from, words and actions go hand-in-hand. If we don’t see action well, then they’re just words thrown to the wind.”

Samoan presenter Ronnie Taulafo at the Top Treaty Grounds. Photo/PMN News

While Reverend Sela Havili (Vava’u/Tongatapu/Sopu ‘O Tāufa’āhau - Tonga) from Te Hāhi Mihinare (Māori Anglican Church) highlighted that the key to strengthening Māori and Pacific relationships is to dive all the way into te ao Māori.

“Surround yourself and immerse yourself in the culture," she said.

"It’s not that hard. At the end of the day they are our brothers and sisters and we walk alongside one another.”