March 19, 2024
Greens co-leaders given royal audience
Greens Party co-leaders Marama Davidson and Chloe Swarbrick have made their first public appearance together, at a meeting with the Māori King, Tuheitia, at Turangawaewae Marae.
The pair were invited to yesterday’s 50th anniversary celebration of the wharekai, Kimiora.
Tainui spokesperson Rahui Papa says for them to choose a Kīngitanga event speaks volumes about their stated commitment to Te Tiriti and support for Maori-led initiatives..
“That’s a very telling testimony to me – that their very first outing as the co-leaders of the Green Party, were on the marae at Tūrangawaewae. And they gave some commitments about supporting initiatives that are not only going to be beneficial for Maori – they’re going to be beneficial for all communities across the country,” he says.
Kingitanga plans to invite National and Labour to the marae at some point, but he doubts ACT or New Zealand First would accept an invitation.