Rātana live updates: Christopher Luxon urged to listen to Māori as he’s welcomed onto pā
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says he has been clear National won’t support the Treaty Principles Bill past select committee.
Speaking to media after giving a speech at Rātana Pā, Luxon said there was a “range of views and feelings and people are free to express it”.
“I want to hear that. That’s why I’m here,” he said.
“The position of the National Party: no intention, no commitment, it’s not a policy we support.”
“We’re part of a coalition government, we made a commitment that we would support a first reading of an Act bill up until first reading and nothing beyond that... I don’t know how to be any clearer.”
“The point is I enjoy being here and I don’t mind the provocation, I don’t mind the challenge. It’s important to be able to hear those voices and respect it.”
Luxon said iwi leaders understood the Government wouldn’t support the bill past first reading based on what they had told him in recent meetings.
STORY CONTINUES AFTER LIVEBLOG
'Incredibly positive': Luxon and Willis speak on inflation rate announcement
Natasha Gordon
Luxon appeared to take credit for the lower inflation rate announced today. His finance minister Nicola Willis interrupted his answer and said, "It's less about taking credit and more about acknowledging it's an incredibly positive thing for New Zealand".
Luxon reacts to Winston Peters and Shane Jones being booed
Natasha Gordon
"You've got to engage, don't you," Luxon said of Winston Peters and Shane Jones being booed.
"Shane Jones wants to improve outcomes for Māori, big time," Luxon said.
Luxon pressed on Seymour's absence
Natasha Gordon
On the Treaty Principles Bill and David Seymour's absence from Rātana, Luxon said "I've left that as free choice and free will as to whether they turn up".
Pressed on whether Seymour should have been there, Luxon said it was a question better addressed to Seymour.
"Those are questions for him. What I would say to you is; I'm pleased to be here.
'Standing up for values': PM on world conflict and NZDF support
Natasha Gordon
On the NZDF deployment to the Red Sea, Luxon said drawing links between Gaza and Houthi rebels was "absolutely and utterly wrong".
He said, "this is a serious issue for the world. We're standing up for values here".
"New Zealand has a long-standing commitment to peace in the Middle East.
"This is a continuation of what we've been doing.
"The reality is, we want to be part of a world that stands up for values.
"We are going to make sure we follow up and play our part in the world.
'That's why I'm here': Luxon speaks following public reaction to his Rātana speech
Natasha Gordon
Prime Minster Christopher Luxon said there was a "range of views and feelings and people are free to express it".
"I want to hear that. That's why I'm here," he said.
Luxon said he had been clear National would not support the Treaty Principles Bill past select committee.
"There is no commitment to supporting it past first reading. I don't know how to be any clearer.
"The position of the National Party: no intention, no commitment, it's not a policy we support," he said.
Luxon said iwi leaders understood the Government wouldn't support the bill past first reading based on what they had told him in recent meetings.
'People shouldn't fear the debate': Shane Jones speaks on the future principles of the Treaty of Waitangi
Natasha Gordon
New Zealand First MP Shane Jones says the Government is "trying to implement our programme, which is beyond one single bill".
Jones said, "the notion we [the Government] is the enemy is just rhetoric".
Jones said New Zealand First would stick to its coalition agreement.
"People shouldn't fear the debate that relates to the future of the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.
"The style of politics that my leader and I represent, it does attract adverse reactions from people from time to time."
Verdict on Christopher Luxon's Rātana te reo
James Wheeler
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon began his speech in Te reo Māori after receiving subsidised language lessons from taxpayers.
He said an opening phrase used for general prayers at important events:
“Glory to god. Peace to the land. Thoughts and prayers to everyone. To those who have passed, go well, and to those of us who are here, thank you all.”
Luxon ended his speech with a basic closing by thanking those who were in attendance.
Two fluent speakers of the language said it was “ka pai” on his part to use simple phrases to open and close his speech.
'When Māori do better, we will all do better': Luxon speaks on strengthening New Zealand
Natasha Gordon
Luxon said the country was strongest when businesses, iwi and communities worked together instead of leaving it to the Government. He cites his conversations with South Island iwi Ngāi Tahu and how it had thrived.
He restated his Government’s preference for localism and devolution, saying there wouldn’t be more bureaucracy created under his leadership
"We will not be creating more bureacracy in Wellington
“We do want to work with you, we do want to partner with you. It doesn’t mean we will always agree on everything.”
In what is quite a typical speech for Luxon, he is referencing the importance of a strong economy and boosting productivity.
"We need a strong economy to create the wealth."
His final message was “I am committed to Māori progress”, saying everyone in his Government was also committed
"When Māori do better, we will all do better
"This is a government with a big vision."
I am committed to Māori progress. I would not lead a party who did not believe in better outcomes for all."
His actual final message was that he was looking forward to “actually getting things done for New Zealanders”.
The pōwhiri ended with no customary hongi between the tangata te whenua and the manuhiri (visitors) but a couple of waiata from the home peoples.
'Nothing is more important': Luxon on education and opportunity in NZ
Natasha Gordon
Luxon said it was parents’ responsibility to keep children in education every day, citing how many children weren’t regularly at school.
“The bottom line is, [those children] don’t get the same opportunities…as a result of that.”
Luxon is now listing the Government’s education policies, saying they were an example of the Government wanting to work together.
He didn’t want to “give out handouts” to help people get ahead, instead, he wanted to provide opportunity.
"We will back our kaupapa Māori systems."
"Nothing is more important than educating our kids."
'No plans to amend or revise the Treaty': PM Christopher Luxon speaks
Natasha Gordon
PM Christopher Luxon, after a brief mihi, spoke in English and thanked his hosts.
Luxon said he was asked if he would attend Rātana. I always enjoy coming and will continue to come.
“The Government has no plans to amend or revise the Treaty or the Treaty settlements…the Government will honour the treaty.”
"I stand before you today as PM and leader of the National Party, the party of Apriana Ngata."
On te reo Māori, Luxon said National had originally supported the establishment of Kohanga Reo and how many young people at Rātana would be speaking the reo fluently.
“I only wish that I could do the same.”
National supported the forerunner of Te Reo Maori and the Kura kaupapa.
He spoke of how some felt “embarrassed and lost” by not understanding te reo and Luxon said that was important to recognise.
His main point was about how the Government would achieve better outcomes for Māori.
The Government cared deeply about people and Luxon said showing it was important, not just talking about it.
It is a legal right of all New Zealanders to speak te reo.
“The Government know many Māori are doing it tough, many New Zealanders are doing it tough,” Luxon said while saying he was passionate about affording New Zealanders equal opportunity.
"We care deeply about people but actually show it and get things down and not just talk about it.
Winston Peters speaks, claims Labour wasn't honouring the relationship with Rātana
Natasha Gordon
NZ First leader Winston Peters said he was here on behalf of the Government which had more Māori and how that had got there on their own accord.
He said he was not there for a political debate.
Some members of the crowd had started booing Peters who said some of today’s criticism was simply originating from those disappointed by the election result.
Winston Peters said he came to Rātana to celebrate Rātana - not be like the Labour party who lost the election. "I want to be a winner."
"We are here to commemorate Rātana and the movement."
Peters claimed promises would be made by politicians and urged Rātana to look at who had delivered. He went on to talk about how Labour wasn’t honouring the relationship with Rātana.
'We should not fear debate': Shane Jones speaks at Rātana
Natasha Gordon
“Folks, my leader Winston Peters and I are back,” Jones said in English as he mentioned how he came to Rātana last year when he wasn’t in Parliament.
“Come to Waitangi but please, please do not think that the volume of language denouncing either me or my leader is going to cause Matua Shane Jones to shut up.
“We should not fear debate.
“I love debate, come to Waitangi,” Jones declared loudly.
Kameka Manuel calls on Luxon to provide better outcomes for Māori
Natasha Gordon
Kameka Manuel, welcomes Christopher Luxon to Rātana Pā, and says it is noted that in his ascension to government and becoming prime minister "you are quoted as saying that 'we will provide better outcomes for Māori'. It is honest to say we are finding it very hard to see that at this time".
"What we do see is the first part of the word 'outcomes' - or like 'Māori out' - and we're left with the last part: 'how come'."
He refers back to the petition of 1924 brought by Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana calling for Te Tiriti o Waitangi to be embedded into Aotearoa New Zealand's constitution.
"As Rāhui said, we don't expect to be just spoken to, we want the opportunity to be walking side by side and working with you. For us as Māori to have the solutions of how we can care for us as Māori.
"It's been a long, very hectic and arduous journey as Māoridom, and every year we hear many promises, and every year we hear great initiatives, and we are still waiting, and we are still waiting, and we are still fighting."
He calls on Luxon to give justice to that kupu of 'outcomes'.
Natasha Gordon
Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka is now responding to the kōrero set down to the Government.
'Every year we hear many promises … and we are still waiting and we are still fighting'
Natasha Gordon
One of the speakers from Rātana said it was “very hard to see” how Luxon would live up to his comments about wanting better outcomes for Māori.
However, he said he looked forward to working through the issues with the Government.
“We don’t expect to be just spoken to we want the opportunity to be working side by side.
“Every year we hear many promises … and we are still waiting and we are still fighting.”
He spoke of the possibilities of the next generation embracing cultural diversity.
“To change that now would be to change a whole generation and confuse many.”
Rahiu Papa speaks on protecting the Treaty in final message
Natasha Gordon
The final message he parted on Luxon was that Te Tiriti o Waitangi was “sacrosanct” and Māori would make sure to provide clarity if it appeared the Government was confused.
“We sure as heck don’t want you to be confused about the text of Te Tiriti o Waitangi,” Papa said in a clearly tongue-in-cheek sense.
He mentioned how some people were attempting to rewrite the Treaty - a clear reference to Act’s David Seymour who was not attending today.
“We will not sit idly by and let that happen without a fight.”
'You must work with us': Rahui Papa addresses Luxon
Natasha Gordon
Rahui Papa of Tainui said he was buoyed Luxon had previously said he wanted to govern for all New Zealanders. He moved on to comment on sceptism about some of the policies, especially in the health space such as the scrapping of the Māori health authority which had caused some consternation among Māori.
“We care not what you want to call government agencies,” Papa added, also saying Māori didn’t care about changing Māori signs, the priority was unity in Māoridom and self-determination.
He welcomed Luxon to engage over these issues and said it shouldn’t take a pandemic or cyclones for Government to learn to trust Māori to deliver.
“You must work with us to find the solutions for all communities in Aotearoa.”
“We’re asking, what is the plan Prime Minister,” Papa asked after commenting on how the Government had only removed or reduced things so far.
'If there is any meddling with Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Māori will not sit idly by' - Rahui Papa
Natasha Gordon
Rahui Papa of Tainui said it was “absolutely fantastic” for them to show up with “friends and colleagues at Rātana to discuss important issues.
He understood there might be some trepidation, noting there were only a couple of representatives from the “three-headed Taniwha” at the hui on Saturday, called for by the Māori King.
He said there were some issues that needed to be discussed “but in the main”, the hui on Saturday was about setting a path of unity for New Zealand.
Papa said New Zealand should work together based on Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
“ It feels like there is an undercurrent of confusion even amongst the ranks of the coalition government,” Papa said, welcomed by murmurs and claps from the crowd.
Papa accepted the Government and Māori wouldn’t agree on everything but issued a strong warning.
“If there is any meddling with Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Māori will not sit idly by.”
“We’ve been talking about this since 183 years ago. Today is a refresh in the coming together ofMāoridom.
“We insist that you heed the call of Māori.”
Chris Hipkins during media standup
Natasha Gordon
Nika Rua addresses the Government
Natasha Gordon
Nika Rua, addressing the Government first from the Rātana contingent, has given a lengthy, impassioned korero directed at Luxon and his ministers, including criticism of the Government’s policies concerning Te Tiriti o Waitangi and te reo Māori.
Christopher Luxon and Winston Peters lead the government delegation onto the marae
Natasha Gordon
Government Arrives
Natasha Gordon
Luxon and the rest of his contingent have walked onto the Marae. He is flanked by Deputy PM Winston Peters and NZ First MP Shane Jones.
Labour MP Peeni Henare says the Government is the enemy
Natasha Gordon
Labour MP Peeni Henare said he believes the Government is the enemy.
When asked if he did believe it was, he responded, "yes, I do".
Hipkins on NZDF's Red Sea deployment and race relations
Natasha Gordon
On the NZDF's deployment to the Red Sea, Hipkins said, "we have to be very very mindful before getting involved".
"It's not one [a deployment] I would be backing," he said.
Hipkins said "mission creep" was "always" an issue with conflicts.
"I don't think this is our fight.
"I think he's shown very weak leadership," Hipkins said of Christopher Luxon's handling of race relations.
'There is one enemy and that is the Government': Labour MP Willie Jackson speaks
Natasha Gordon
Labour MP Willie Jackson said: "[Hipkins] took his cue from what was happening out there. Rātana has always been very, very political."
Jackson said, "what they were saying in the whaikorero was there is one enemy' and that is the Government."
Jackson said he wasn't worried about Rātana being political: "It's always been political."
Hipkins said his speech was largely responding to the speeches he heard earlier, rather than pre-prepared.
Chris Hipkins speaks on racism and Government policies
Natasha Gordon
Opposition leader Chris Hipkins says the Government's policies "emboldened" racism in New Zealand.
"Let's take the Treaty Principles Bill for example, even if [National] is saying they will withdraw support for it, that's still government legislation.
Hipkins said the select committee process for the bill would be "ugly".
"The process will certainly embolden racism," he said.
"When David Seymour speaks, when Winston Peters speak, they are speaking on behalf of the Government.
"Christopher Luxon needs to take responsibility for what his government is saying," he said.
"The role of political leaders should be to speak unity.
"Fear of the unknown, uncertainty around the future of Crown-Māori relationships always bubbles around. The goal is to not play to that, but to fix divisiveness.
"I still believe the arc of human history bends towards progress - that doesn't mean that there won't be blips along the way, and certainly I think we're going through one at the moment.
Hipkins said his speech was political, when Rātana usually tried to stay away from politics, because he was following the lead of speechmakers before him.
Christopher Luxon doing the rounds at Rātana
Natasha Gordon
Government ministers and MPs have arrived at Rātana
Natasha Gordon
Government ministers and MPs have arrived at Rātana, including Prime Minister Christopher Luxon who, on his attempt to use the facilities, has been stopped by many of the people who have travelled to attend the annual celebrations, including many kids who he talked about sport with.
Much of the banter has surrounded basketball. Luxon appears to be a fan of the Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry. The kids disagreed, favouring Bulls legend Michael Jordan.
Māori King Tūheitia Paki and his wife Makau Ariki Te Atawhai listening to speeches
Natasha Gordon
'Stop using Māori as your racist drawcard' - Marama Davidson
Natasha Gordon
National and New Zealand First MPs are due to arrive on the pā soon. Davidson challenged Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to use the day to listen to Māori.
"He shouldn't say much at all. He should listen, he should receive and then he should ensure his government continues to uphold... Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
"Stop using Māori as your racist drawcard."
'Appealing to the worst of us': Marama Davidson accuses David Seymour of playing into division
Natasha Gordon
Greens' co-leader Marama Davidson had earlier told reporters that ACT's no-show at Rātana was a display of "absolute ignorance" and a dishonour to the Māori world.
"It dismisses the mana and the importance of Ratana, of Wiremu Pōtiki Ratana, and te ao Māori and their political voice."
She accused ACT leader David Seymour of playing to fear, ignorance, and division by "appealing to the worst of us" through his efforts to redefine Treaty principles.
'Didn’t get everything right': Hipkins speaks on Labour party efforts
Natasha Gordon
He did accept that Labour “didn’t get everything right” because it didn’t bring non-Māori with them. He pledged to “redouble efforts to do that”.
Hipkins also pointed to the winding back of provisions in the Oranga Tamariki legislation that recognises Māori, and backing away from the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples - two things signed up to by the previous National government.
"They should never be allowed to simply apportion those policies to the two smaller parties in this government. The National Party signed up to them, it is their signature on the bottom of the page."
'Encourage, foster and enable racism': Hipkins speaks on Government policies
Natasha Gordon
Hipkins suspected not many people at Rātana would be happy with the result of the election. Hipkins believed the government would be less inclined to talk about what it would do with and to Māori.
Hipkins hit out against the Government for having an agenda to take NZ backwards, scrapping the Māori health authority, limiting the use of te reo in the public service and rewriting Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
He said the government's policies would “encourage, foster and enable racism” and that it “should be called out for what it is”.
“It is their signature on the bottom of the page,” Hipkins said of National in his demand that National take responsibility for the policies of the coalition.
Chris Hipkins has begun his kōrero
Natasha Gordon
Hipkins has begun his kōrero with a brief statement in te reo, speaking from cards.
He is now going through Labour’s history with Rātana that goes back to Michael Savage.
However, he has switched to talking about how much has changed since he was here last year, in a referenced to the change of government.
“Now is not the time to turn our back on that progress.”
“This is a government with an agenda that wants to take New Zealand backwards with the disestablishment of the Māori Health Authority," Hipkins said.”
He went on to outline other policies which target Māori such as reducing the use of te reo Māori in the public service, and rolling back the smoke free legislation.
Te Pāti Māori co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi listening to speeches
Natasha Gordon
Green MP Teanau Tuiono speaks on behalf of opposition MPs
Natasha Gordon
Green MP Teanau Tuiono is the first politician to speak on behalf of the opposition MPs. Speaking in te reo, Tuiono is addressing the Rātana leadership and other Māori leaders, including Te Pāti Māori co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer (who is from Rātana) and Rawiri Waititi, who broke tradition this year and were welcomed onto Rātana yesterday and now sit among Rātana instead of the politicians like they did last year.
Young girl joins marching band to escort MPs
Natasha Gordon
Greens co-leader Marama Davidson speaks to media
Natasha Gordon
Gathering at Rātana unofficial start to political year
Sophie Ryan
Leaders from National, NZ First, Labour and Greens are all gathering at Rātana Pa near Whanganui as part of the annual Rātana Church celebrations.
Labour’s Peeni Henare and Greens co-leader Marama Davidson have both spoken to media and criticised the coalition Government for “wasting time” with the Treaty Principles Bill when National and NZ First hadn’t committed to supporting the contentious bill past the select committee stage.
STORY CONTINUES
Luxon and deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, along with a government delegation, were earlier welcomed to Rātana Pā.
Earlier, Labour leader Chris Hipkins warned the coalition Government would “take New Zealand backwards” in matters of race relations while also conceding his Government didn’t get everything right by leaving non-Māori out of advancements made.
Hipkins was speaking at Rātana Pā, where politicians celebrate the annual Rātana Church celebrations - which is often considered the unofficial beginning of the political year.
Hipkins hit out against the Government for having an agenda to take New Zealand backwards, scrapping the Māori health authority, limiting the use of te reo in the public service and rewriting Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
He said the government’s policies would “encourage, foster and enable racism” and that it “should be called out for what it is”.
He did accept that Labour “didn’t get everything right” because it didn’t bring non-Māori with them. He pledged to “redouble efforts to do that”.
Labour’s Peeni Henare and Greens co-leader Marama Davidson have both spoken to media ahead of their welcome, criticising coalition Government for “wasting time” with the Treaty Principles Bill when National and NZ First hadn’t committed to supporting the contentious bill past the select committee stage.
Hipkins led the Opposition convoy from the Rātana Church, led by the famous Rātana band, to the marae. He walked next to Davidson, the pair chatted and laughed and they slowly walked the short journey to the marae.
Davidson urged Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to “listen to Māori” and “shouldn’t say much at all”.
She claimed the coalition and in particular Act leader David Seymour, were “appealing to the worst of us” through their proposed policies, which include the bill that sought to redefine the Treaty principles.
National’s coalition agreement with Act included no commitment to support the bill into legislation. NZ First minister Shane Jones was vague on whether his party would vote in favour of the bill.
Henare said the Government should stop “wasting time” with the bill if they wouldn’t support it.
Yesterday Luxon said he was aware of the challenges he’s set to face from Māori leaders at Rātana amid growing concern about how the Government’s policies could affect Māoridom.
Luxon will address leaders at Rātana Pā in Whanganui today as part of the annual Rātana Church celebrations, which included the opportunity for church and iwi leaders to converse with politicians about Māori issues.
The event, often said to be the start of the political year, is taking place only days after more than 10,000 people converged on Tūrangawaewae Marae in Ngāruawāhia for a national hui, organised by the Kīngitanga, on some of the Government’s proposed policies regarding te reo Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, including stripping Treaty references from legislation and downplaying the importance of te reo in the public service.
Māori King Kīngi Tūheitia issued a message of hope that Māori could unify and protest by living Māori values, but did issue a strong condemnation of the proposed Treaty Principles Bill, which aimed to redefine Treaty principles.
The bill, which had become a flashpoint for Māori at the hui, was created by Act and guaranteed support by National through the House only until the select committee process. Luxon hadn’t clarified whether National would support it further.
Some of the kōrero that emerged from Saturday’s hui included claims accusing the Government of being underpinned by white supremacy, something echoed by Te Pāti Māori leadership, and which Luxon rejected outright.
Luxon yesterday said his experience at Rātana last year and several visits to Waitangi had prepared him for what could be tough conversations.
“That’s my observation, is that’s the place where we should have challenging provocation and stimulation and that’s okay.”
Despite the hui prompting strong concern about his government’s policies, Luxon said it hadn’t changed the message he would be sending today.
“My message will be actually sort of laying out where we’re coming from as a government and how we want to work and partner with Māori to deliver improved outcomes.”
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi was confident Luxon and other government representatives would face strong challenges in kōrero from Māori leaders, but would also be respected.
“Manuhiri [visitors] on the marae at Rātana and Tūrangawaewae have always treated people with respect,” Waititi told the Herald.
“I know there will be courageous kōrero on the marae and that’s where courageous kōrero should be.”
Waititi, co-leader and Rātana morehu (follower) Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and others from Te Pāti Māori were welcomed onto Rātana Pā yesterday alongside Kīngi Tūheitia and representatives of the Kīngitanga — before all other political parties, which would arrive in Rātana today.
Waititi yesterday explained it was intended to show the party’s “realignment to the mana motuhake [self-determination] space”.
“The Treaty was signed between tangata whenua and the Crown and so this is the realignment of our political waka to our mana motuhake space and allowing us to be the manifestation of the journeys of our people within a kāwanatanga [government] space and the representation of mana motuhake within a government or a kāwanatanga space.”
Party leaders, alongside their public speeches, would also have private meetings with Rātana and iwi leaders.
Te Taepa Kameta, spokesman for Rātana tumuaki (president) Manuao Te Kohamutunga Tamou, wasn’t surprised by the enormous crowd in Ngāruawāhia on Saturday, and Rātana Pā to be busy this week.
“At the end of the day, when you poke the taniwha enough, the taniwha is obviously going to wake.
“I think by touching Te Tiriti o Waitangi [te reo version of the Treaty], something that we were all so passionate about, I think they have gone and awakened the taniwha.
“It’s a matter of sitting down with the three-headed beast, and I’m talking about the Government here and the three leaders, to sit down and to have these types of discussions with them so that we were able to move forward in the best way possible for everybody.”
While Luxon and NZ First leader Winston Peters were expected to attend, Act leader David Seymour would be absent. It was understood no one from Act would be in attendance.
“At the end of the day, we’ve got the prime minister and the deputy at this point in time, so it doesn’t really matter if [Seymour] shows up or not,” Kameta said.
Adam Pearse is a political reporter in the NZ Herald Press Gallery team, based at Parliament. He has worked for NZME since 2018, covering sport and health for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei before moving to the NZ Herald in Auckland, covering Covid-19 and crime.