Opposition stoking fear, says PM in Waitangi
Hipkins accepts some blame over understanding of co-governance
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins finally made it to Northland for Waitangi commemorations this weekend, driving up after his plane failed to land at Kerikeri in bad weather on Thursday.
Hipkins yesterday attended the National Iwi Chairs Forum where he met with Ma¯ori leaders and discussed a range of subjects, including cogovernance, housing, health and education. He said iwi leaders had expressed their concerns about race and ethnicity being used to divide New Zealanders, and he had reiterated his commitment to avoid that happening.
However, when asked by reporters about co-governance, he also pointed the finger at the Opposition, saying they were provoking fear.
“Those who seek to use misunderstanding around it for political advantage need to reflect on their own behaviour,” the PM said.
“I certainly think the Opposition — National and Act — have used, as they have done in the past, uncertainty to try and stoke fear.”
Hipkins did, however, accept some blame for the public’s lack of understanding of co-governance, acknowledging his Government’s role in allowing uncertainty to fester.
“One of the challenges we’ve had is because we’ve been doing so many different things, actually, we probably haven’t created the space to make sure people understand what we’re doing and why were doing it, and that’s absolutely been a lesson for us over the last five years, it’s something that we have all reflected on and you’ll see some change in that regard.”
Co-governance is closely tied to the Government’s Three Waters legislation, which aimed to improve the management of the country’s drinking water, wastewater and stormwater.
This included establishing four entities governed by territorial authorities and mana whenua — the co-governance aspect.
National Party leader Christopher Luxon countered Hipkins’ narrative, claiming Labour had “progressed a divisive agenda”.
He added: “It is disappointing to see the new Prime Minister try to shut down the discussion rather than clearly setting out Labour’s plans for the public to judge.”
Act party leader David Seymour said Hipkins’ comments were similar to criticisms made by his predecessor, Jacinda Ardern.
“The new Prime Minister is picking up where the old Prime Minister left off: Attempting to blame Act for the divisions Labour is creating,” Seymour said. “New Zealanders have an expectation that the new Prime Minister will take a new approach to constitutional issues and treat all Kiwis equally.”
The Prime Minister also attended a multimillion-dollar housing announcement in Kerikeri yesterday and used a digger, after a brief training session, to symbolically start earthworks for the new development.
Meanwhile, Dame Cindy Kiro was welcomed at the Treaty Grounds yesterday as the first female Ma¯ori Governor-General.
Tangata whenua from a range of hapu¯ across Northland began the karanga as Whanga¯rei-born Kiro, who is of Nga¯ti Hine and Nga¯puhi nui tonu descent, was escorted on to the grounds holding a photo of the late Queen Elizabeth.
The Treaty Grounds echoed to the sounds of the po¯whiri, waiata and kaihoe [waka paddler] Joey Rapana playing the pu moana, a conch-like trumpet made from a large sea shell.
“The esteemed GovernorGeneral . . . the warmth of your people embrace and welcome you,” Youth Justice and Nga¯puhi rangatira Isaiah Apiata said.
The event coincided with a funding boost for the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, with the Government announcing a one-off $3 million investment to support the Waitangi National Trust Board in maintaining them.
Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni, also Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister, said the grounds were Northland’s “single greatest attraction” and deserved support.
Pre-Covid, they attracted 113,000 visitors and nearly 10,000 students annually.
“Cruise ships have started to return to the Bay of Islands, and visitor numbers are gradually starting to increase. Supporting the trust will help them to make the most of the return of tourists and contribute to the Northland economy,” Sepuloni said.