PRIME MINISTER BACKS OUT OF WAITATNGI 2025

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has confirmed he will not be attending events at Waitangi in the far North next year. He follows in the footsteps of former National MP John Key who also failed to show at Waitangi in 2016.

Luxon’s withdrawal followed a letter from Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti organisers on Thursday morning, telling Government ministers they were not welcome at any Waitangi Day events.

Hīkoi organiser Eru Kapa-Kingi argued the Government should be blocked from Waitangi events, and is reported to have said: “There is absolutely no desire to welcome this anti-Māori government”.

However, Waitangi National Trust chairperson Pita Tipene had earlier in the week  urged Luxon to “front up” at Waitangi saying: “On a day called Waitangi Day, the Kāwanatanga must be at Waitangi to continue on with those conversations. To be anywhere else is not a good thing,”

But Luxon, in a statement issued Thursday following a meeting with iwi leaders at the Beehive, said he would go elsewhere on Waitangi Day next year.

“It has always been my intention to celebrate Waitangi Day around the country with different iwi,” says the Prime Minister.

He did not say where he would be going on Waitangi Day, but earlier this week said a number of iwi had invited him to events in their rohe.

Other Government Minister’s will be present at Waitangi including Minister for Māori Tama Potaka.

The Prime Minister says his meeting with the Iwi Chairs Forum on Thursday was positive.

The Prime Minister has refused to front for media interviews to discuss the latest decision.

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