November 03, 2016
History clash in commemoration date
Northland MP Winston Peters says there may need to be a rethink on the date chosen to commemorate those who lost their lives in the land wars of the 1800s.
A panel from representatives of battle sites announced October 28 as the date for the government-funded Raa Maumahara events, pre-empting any discussion by the Maori affairs select committee.
Ngapuhi elders says that day should be left to mark He Whakaputanga, the 1835 Declaration of Independence signed by many northern chiefs as well as future Maori king Potatau Te Wherowhero.
Mr Peters says somebody needs a history lesson.
"One of the problems is you are going to have all sorts of conflicting causes for celebration and once you get that sort of conflict it dilutes the primary objective of the exercise. That's a bit of a worry. I saw (Maori Party MP) Marama Fox in parliament yesterday giving it a different meaning as well and though to myself 'the federation won't like that very much,' so maybe there should be a bit of a rethink here," he says.
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