High-powered networking poolside replaces confrontation at Waitangi
Is Waitangi still at the forefront of political change?
Iwi leaders and campaigners have been at Waitangi for days, arriving early to lobby the Government on matters ranging from agriculture to te reo Ma¯ ori. But the days of protest are gone.
A smorgasbord of kaupapa are on the table. Ma¯ori-Crown Relations Minister Kelvin Davis was challenged to increase funding for te reo Ma¯ori education. The Iwi Chairs Forum warned Prime Minister Chris Hipkins there would be pushback if he back-pedalled on comanagement of water services.
There were also big-picture questions around Te Tiriti; what does partnership and tino rangatiratanga actually mean? Is bigger constitutional change required to realise Te Tiriti?
As discussions went on, there was a realisation amongst some in Waitangi that a new approach may be needed at these hui. Margaret Mutu, who co-authored the Matike Mai Aotearoa blueprint for constitutional change, said her focus had turned to speaking to te ao Ma¯ori and younger generations about these issues – rather than the bureaucrats and Government.
Some MPs got their first taste of politics here at Waitangi.
Justice Minister Kiritapu Allan has been coming to Waitangi for more than 20 years, switching between activist to Crown representative. Green MP Teanau Tuiono first got into politics through protest. He recalled hı¯koi of hundreds – if not thousands – that held the Government to account on key issues such as the foreshore and seabed and called for the Crown to honour Te Tiriti.
Decades ago, Waitangi’s fiery debates and huge hı¯koi made for attention-grabbing scenes on the national news. But that’s not Waitangi any more.
Whether it’s an effect of the Covid years, or the fact there’s just been a shockingly unseasonal rainstorm, many remarked at how ‘‘low-key’’ it felt this year. There were many men in suits, but very few – if any – protest banners.
Labour’s ministers arrived in Waitangi on Tuesday, ahead of planned Waitangi Day celebrations tomorrow. The week ahead of Waitangi Day is a mixed bag of politics and festivities.
By Waitangi eve, musicians, tourists and Opposition MPs arrive ahead of the Dawn Service and Waitangi Day festivities. This morning, politicians from all parties will be officially welcomed to Te Whare Ru¯ nanga at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
It will be a chance for Hipkins and National leader Christopher Luxon to put their fledgling te reo skills into practice.
The arrival of Opposition MPs could also offer some of Labour’s Ma¯ori caucus a welcome reprieve.
The fairly quiet start to Waitangi has offered seasoned activists almost unfettered access to have their complaints heard by the Government’s most senior Ma¯ ori ministers.
Yesterday, campaigners such as former ACT MP Donna Awatere Huata and lawyer Annette Sykes were on the stage beside Te Tii Marae, applying pressure on Labour’s Ma¯ori caucus for a perceived lack of action.
Huata repeatedly singled out Davis. She said he and the rest of Labour had been immobilised by the public service, who were getting in the way of any meaningful change.
In response, Davis said the ongoing criticism, targeted both at him but also various Ma¯ori representatives who had come from ministries, had become antiproductive.
‘‘For those of you who want change in these agencies, stop bashing them,’’ he said.
‘‘Every time a Ma¯ ori gets into Parliament, every time a Ma¯ ori chooses to work in police, Government, Corrections, you say ‘oh they’re just part of the system now’.’’
He said it was unrealistic to expect anything more than gradual improvement, and said the Government could not suddenly defund the ministries or implement co-governance.
He pointed to fierce criticism of co-governance policy.
‘‘There’s anti-Ma¯ ori sentiment starting to stir up,’’ he said.
‘‘That’s because we are starting to see more Ma¯ ori in Parliament, more progress on these kaupapa ... Gradually, there is more and more Ma¯ ori occurring in Te Whare Paremata.’’
On Friday, Hipkins led a large contingent of politicians, advisers and public service leaders to meet the influential Iwi Chairs Forum. Although Wha¯ nau Ora Minister Peeni Henare said the dozens-strong group was proof the Government was committed to working with iwi, one iwi leader described it as proof of a ‘‘Wellington-isation’’ of Waitangi.
Another iwi leader described the Ma¯ori rights movement as being ‘‘infiltrated by officials’’.
At Waitangi, it seems, the days of protest are gone. For the past few days, it’s been one of the most high-powered networking events in te ao Ma¯ ori.
There have been plenty of poolside meetings, with iwi leaders sharing updates. Ministers and MPs have been coming and going through the Copthorne lobby, between hui, po¯ whiri and trips to the bar.
People once deemed ‘‘radical’’ now have close links to Government. As the festival stalls and stage were set up on Friday evening, Hone Harawira took a swim at the Copthorne pool. It’s where the politicians stay, and the Iwi Chairs Forum meet.
He strolled past Sykes – who was sitting down meeting Treaty Negotiations Minister Andrew Little. Smirking and holding his towel, Harawira pulled the shaka sign and headed off into the hotel.
‘‘Every time a Ma¯ori gets into Parliament, every time a Ma¯ori chooses to work in police, Government, Corrections, you say ‘oh they’re just part of the system now’.’’
Kelvin Davis Ma¯ori-Crown Relations Minister