Māori culture improves city

Māori and Pākeha leaders in Manawatu have used Waitangi Day to call for strong ties and cooperation between the two.

About 150 people gathered on a cold Palmerston North morning in The Square to acknowledge the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in 1840.

It began with the flag raising before a civil ceremony in the courtyard in front of the council building.

The location of the ceremony made it tricky for the attendees to hear the speeches, though, as the microphone was being piped through speakers closer to the i-site.

But there was no issue hearing the Hato Paora students who broke up the speeches with waiata.

Rangitā ne kaumātua Wiremu Te Awe Awe, who opened and closed the ceremony with karakia, said The Square – also known as Te Marae o Hine: the Courtyard of the Daughter of Peace – was an appropriate place to hold the ceremony.

Chiefs who passed through the daughter’s marae would lay down their weapons and speak to each other, talking about issues.

There had been great progress in co-governance between the Crown and Ma¯ ori for Manawatu¯ issues, with the Manawatu¯ River a prime example. Palmerston North mayor Grant Smith said he spent some of his summer at the treaty grounds, which nailed home the importance of the relationship between Māori and Pākeha and upholding the treaty.

The importance of the treaty was manifesting itself in a growing interest in te reo and Māori customs, he said.

‘‘If we have a strong, vibrant Māori voice, then we have a strong and vibrant city.

‘‘Without Māori culture, our country would be so much less than what it is today.’’

The council had a good working relationship with Rangitā ne, who signed their settlement with the Crown in late-2015.

Working together would ensure the iwi’s settlement would benefit Manawatu as a whole, Smith said. ‘‘The best way forward is to devote time, energy and understanding towards growing this special relationship.

‘‘I hope our city leaders continue to respect and recognise the principles of the very document we are acknowledging today.’’

‘‘If we have a strong, vibrant Māori voice, then we have a strong and vibrant city. Without Māori culture, our country would be so much less than what it is today.’’

Mayor Grant Smith