It’s been a long time since Waitangi was like this. Covid-19 has kept the crowds away from the Treaty Grounds and Te Tii Marae for a few years, but the clash of politics and celebration is back in the Far North.
On Saturday, hundreds are expected to arrive for the long weekend.
Since Wednesday, politicians and iwi representatives have been flying and driving in from across Aotearoa. The Iwi Chairs Forum and Government met on Friday. Hipkins said the hui went well, and told reporters that he and the forum agreed that “bread and butter issues” like the cost of living should be the top priority.
But there were other topics discussed, too.
READ MORE:
* Tributes to Titewhai Harawira as prime minister meets with Iwi Chairs
* Cabinet reshuffle: Prime Minister Chris Hipkins to choose new ministers on Tuesday
* PM Jacinda Ardern has Covid-19 test, self-isolating after being confirmed as close contact
Margaret Mutu, Jamie Tuuta and Tukoroirangi Morgan all confirmed they’d pushed Hipkins to reaffirm his commitment to partnership with Māori.
There has been concern, especially in the wake of debate around Three Waters, as to whether Hipkins’ Labour Government will back away from co-management and co-design in public policy.
Hipkins has asked all ministers to reassess their priorities ahead of the election.
He has also undertaken a Cabinet reshuffle, moving the local government portfolio away from Nanaia Mahuta and giving it to Kieran McAnulty.
Mutu said Mahuta had huge respect among the Iwi Chairs Forum.
“She has done a lot of extremely valuable work in there that has benefited the entire country. It’s just a shame that that hasn’t been appreciated,” she said.
Morgan questioned if Hipkins’ recent reshuffle and policy refocus could be a backwards step for Māori-Crown relations.
Taurapa/Stuff
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins was welcomed on to a waka in Waitangi.
“What we seek from this Government is an ongoing commitment that that partnership will be amplified and affirmed,” Morgan said, after leaving the hui with Hipkins and various ministers and public service bosses.
Hipkins is yet to reveal much about how he’ll reshape policies such as Three Waters.
On Friday, he said he was committed to Māori-Crown partnerships in health, education and housing.
In the days ahead, Opposition MPs are set to arrive. A full parliamentary pōwhiri is scheduled for Sunday. All politicians will be welcomed, side by side, to Te Whare Rūnanga, at the Treaty Grounds, ahead of Waitangi Day on Monday.
Supplied
Tukoroirangi (Tuku) Morgan is the chair of Waikato-Tainui executive Te Arataura.
Those already in Waitangi will be making the most of the Ngāpuhi and Bay of Islands’ hospitality ahead of more arrivals on Sunday.
On Saturday, several Labour ministers are expected to front at Te Tii Marae for panel discussions ranging from health to the future for te reo Māori.
Kiritapu Allan, Kelvin Davis and Peeni Henare are set to field questions in the politics tent outside Te Tii Marae.
While Waitangi offers moments for debate, it’s also offering moments of fun as well. This is, after all, a long weekend.
After hui on Friday, the atmosphere at Waitangi changed from suits to board shorts as the sun set.
Hipkins joined Northland MP Willow-Jean Prime on a waka paddle around the Waitangi inlet on Friday, while the Greens’ co-leader Marama Davidson was shown the ropes by a waka filled with tamariki. James Shaw rolled up his jeans, too, to get in the water.
At least Shaw was wearing jeans. Hipkins was in a shirt and trousers. He told Stuff he’d brought only one suit to Waitangi – and it barely survived day one.
From Saturday, bands are set to perform each evening and stallholders will soon arrive to feed the large crowds expected this weekend.
Taurapa/Stuff
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins rolls up his trousers in Waitangi.
