February 14, 2022
Waitangi words show royal assurance
Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro says the royal family sees the Treaty of Waitangi as an enduring bond with the people of Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Māori Party is calling for a divorce from the Queen, who has just marked her 70th year on the throne.
Party co-leader Rawiri Waititi says New Zealand’s relationship with the Crown is toxic, and a new constitutional system is needed,
Dame Cindy says constitutional arrangements are a matter for the New Zealand people to decide, and as the Queen’s representative she will honour and respect their decision.
But she noted that on his most recent visit to the country Prince Charles, the future king, went to Waitangi and talked about what Waitangi and the country meant for him and his family.
“He said on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen: ‘For my part I can only emphasise the strength of the commitment (of) successive sovereigns to the defining promise of this covenant and standing before you here today I humbly reaffirm my commitment and that of my children and grandchildren to this bond between us and to ensuring it endures for future generations,.” Dame Cindy says.