Waitangi National Trust chair Pita Tipene says emotions boiled over during the welcome for Government parties for Waitangi commemorations.
Kaihaka did a deliberately offensive wero to minister before they faced some challenging whaikōrero.
The taumata then allowed protesters to drown out ACT MP Nicole McKee from Ngapuhi as she attempted to reply for her party, and the forum following the powhiri was kicked off by former MP Hone Harawira telling ACT leader David Seymour his “shitty arse bill is going down the toilet”.
In response, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters told the crowd to stop the crap and hysteria about the Treaty Principles Bill, which will need the support of all three Government parties to survive the select committee process.
“Once you start using provocative language, and you start with an upper cut you’re eventually going to get one back,” Mr Tipene says.
