September 18, 2017
Waitangi waiting for political shift
Labour deputy leader and Te Taitokerau MP Kelvin Davis says Bill English should rethink his plans for Waitangi Day.
The Prime Minister skipped Waitangi this year in favour Orakei after organisers of the powhiri at Te Tii Marae said he would not be allowed to speak.
He told a meeting at the weekend he was likely to spent the national day elsewhere until Ngapuhi demonstrates it can run an event New Zealanders are proud of.
Mr Davis says it will be different next year.
"There's been issues down on the lower marae and I think proceedings wsill be on the upper marae next year and he should come along a see it as leader of the Opposition. I'm pretty sure Jacinda will be there as prime minister," he says.
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