February 06, 2017
Pressue on to shift Waitangi powhiri
The Waitangi National Trust has put together a subcommittee to look at what is needed to hold the powhiri for guests on the Treaty Grounds.
Pita Paraone, who chairs the group that organises official Waitangi Day commemorations, says there is a widespread feeling among Ngapuhi they don’t want a repeat of this year’s debacle at the lower Te Tii Marae.
That powhiri is the responsibility of the marae committee, which this year has been taken over by a number of competing factions.
The result meant the Government General was left waiting while the committee argued about how to handle her welcome.
Prime Minister Bill English stayed away because of the conditions imposed on him speaking, and New Zealand First leader Winston Peters refused to come on because the media could not come on with him.
Demands the media pay huge sums to come on the marae was backed up by heavy handed security from a large number of young men in straw hats and white t-shirts.
That had the effect of scaring away most of the spectators who usually help create a festive attitude to the powhiri.
Mr Paraone says a group will meet soon to discuss moving the powhiri, and there will be consultation within Ngapuhi during the year.
He says he was extremely happy with the actual Waitangi Day commemorations, which brought around 30,000 people to Waitangi to enjoy the church services, sports, concerts, the waka regatta and the naval ceremonies.
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