Respected leaders needed to manage Waitangi events

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Mana leader hone Harawira is proposing handing control of Waitangi’s Te Tii Marae to a committee of respected Ngapuhi leaders to run events around Waitangi Day.

The official powhiri is set to move to the Treaty Grounds next year to avoid a repeat of the problems that have surrounded the powhiri for official visitors on the bottom marae in recent years.

Mr Harawira says that’s disappointing but understandable, as it’s clear the various people who have won control of the lower marae in recent years aren’t up to running a national event.

His idea would open the door to move the powhiri back to the marae.

"There’s protest and there's protest but those in control should be able to manage it well. I've proposed the possibility of a committee to manage those days. Just a small group and maybe empower them to run things down at the bottom marae say from the 1st of February to the 10th of February so that they've got a clear run to manage activities well," says Hone Harawira.

HONE HARAWIRA INTERVIEW

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