June 15, 2021
Waitangi Trust seeks tikanga to keep politicians happy
The Waitangi National Trust has set up a working group to consider how women can speak at Waitangi commemorations on the Treaty Grounds.
Chair Pita Tipene says the group, which also includes MPs Shane Reti and Willow Jean Prime and trustee Tanya Simpson, intend to consult widely over the next couple of months and report back to the board by November.
The tikanga was challenged by Dr Reti this year who argued his leader Judith Collins should have been able to speak from the mahua as the Prime Minister was able to do.
Mr Tipene says there are unique issues to be considered.
"The politicians have spoken on the marae as the PM has for the past four years. The other (issue) is speaking rights of women on the marae as part of the pōwhiri and as part of the tikanga. We as trustees of the Waitangi National Trust will make the decision after consulting and engaging with the people and it will continue to evolve as tikanga does it evolved over time," he says.
Mr Tipene says when politicians stand up to address the nation at Waitangi, they should talk about Te Tiriti o Waitangi and where the nation is going, rather than engaging in politicking.
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