October 05, 2016
Ngapuhi wears out welcome
Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell says change is needed to the way dignitaries are welcomed for Waitangi Day commemorations in the north.
His parliamentary colleague Pita Paraone, in his role as organiser of the official calendar at Waitangi, is trying to get Ngapuhi to consider moving the powhiri from the lower Te Tii Marae to the Treaty Grounds.
A hui last Friday was inconclusive, and the issue will be discussed again at the end of the month.
This year Prime Minister John Key stayed away after elders said he was not welcome.
Mr Flavell says people expect to be welcomed in the spirit of manaakitanga.
"Why put yourself through something when it is going to be all so stressful and people don't want you. I say leave it alone and hopefully Taitokerau will come up with a view that says 'yes, we are going to open the door and allow you to come and we will have some debate,' because far too often in the north people say they want some discussion but when you get on the marae you don't have a chance to have a discussion because all you want to do is get off there because of the way that you were treated," he says.
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