May 05, 2023
Kiingitanga speaker calls out Goff
New Zealand’s High Commissioner to London, Phil Goff, has been slammed for his handling of a welcome for the New Zealand delegation to the coronation of King Charles III.
Aukaha news correspondent Kereama Wright says a gathering at New Zealand House was supposed to be a pōwhiri or whakatau for the Prime Minister, the Governor General, Kiingi Tuheitia and the other Kiwi VIPs.
That wasn’t the way it played out, with the Māori king’s spokesperson, Ngira Simmonds, taking Mr Goff to task for taking over proceedings and ignoring the Kiingitanga.
“Ngira definitely let the crowd know he was disappointed in the way that all unfolded, took the opportunity to remind everyone of the mana of Kiingi Tuheitia and that he was invited directly by King Charles himself due to his desire to strengthen the relationship between the two Kahui Ariki, and they don’t feel our own kawanatanga has reciprocated that respect, so very interesting to watch,” Mr Wright says.
The coronation is tomorrow evening New Zealand time.