Ngāti Rēhia opposes ACT leader’s attendance at Waitangi

Ngāpuhi hapū Ngāti Rēhia has formally requested that ACT Party Leader David Seymour not attend Waitangi celebrations in Te Taitokerau this year.

On Tuesday, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rēhia chair William Skipper (Kipa) Munro sent a letter to Seymour, with copies addressed to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters.

In the letter, Munro says Waitangi Week is a time for celebration, reflection, and education regarding the significance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and He Whakaputanga.

He expressed concern the Treaty Principles Bill undermines the mana of Te Tiriti and the rights of Māori.

The hapū wishes to ensure that this year’s Waitangi celebrations are not overshadowed by the contentious impacts of the Treaty Principles Bill.

More than 300,000 public submissions were received on the bill via the Parliament website before the submission period closed last week.

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