February 07, 2023
Subdued start to political year at Waitangi
New Zealand First politician Shane Jones says a reflective mood at the weekend’s Waitangi commemorations points to a tough election year.
Mr Jones’s annual pre-Waitangi party at his Kerikeri home drew MPs from Labour, National and the Greens, as well as family, friends and Northland community and business leaders keen to see more of a festival atmosphere injected into proceedings.
He says the mood down at the Treaty Grounds seemed a bit quieter.
“It’s almost as if people were taking time out after quite a harrowing time of not only the weather and slowly reengaging after all the rules and regulations with Coivid and I think what is going to happen is the crescendo is going to build, not necessarily rapidly but it its going to slowly go on building towards the end of the year and the challenge is going to be getting people to turn out and exercise their vote,” Mr Jones says.