Covid reshapes Waikato's Waitangi Day commemorations: Online services and individual reflection encouraged

Friday, 4 February 2022

Major events usually held at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and Te Tii Mara have been shifted online (file photo).

The Waikato region is preparing for a re-shaped Waitangi weekend, with many of the popular and vibrant gatherings of previous years being shelved or held online.

Major Waitangi events usually held in Paihia at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and Te Tii Marae have been shifted online and, for the first time in four decades, Tauranga Moana in the Bay of Plenty will hold an online dawn service.

Regardless of the disruptions to anticipated events, people are being asked to reflect and discuss the meaning behind Te Tiriti and its history.

In Ngāruawāhia, the Kiingitanga has a longstanding close relationship with the Waitangi National Trust, but describes the movement’s relationship with the actual document of Te Tiriti as one with “ups and downs”.

Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says Northlanders should continue to encourage people to get vaccinated, and responds to the cancellation of 2022 Waitangi Day celebrations.

**READ MORE:

* Waitangi Day: A legacy of protest

* Covid-19: More Waitangi events cancelled, this time at lower marae, due to Omicron

* Okains Bay Waitangi Day commemorations cancelled due to Covid concerns

* The generational trauma stemming from war in the Waikato

Wherever you may be for Waitangi Day, the Kiingitanga is encouraging reflection on Te Tiriti and bicultural partnerships, chief of staff and private secretary to the Māori King, Ngira Simmons said.

This is primarily because the Māori monarchy has always had the stance of mana Māori motuhake - Māori sovereignty and resistance - which they feel is not represented by the treaty.

Chief of staff and private secretary to the Māori King Ngira Simmons said the Kiingitanga would be sharing kōrero and commemorations largely online.

“This year, as we were last year, we were intending to travel north to Waitangi with Kiingi Tūheitia at the invitation of the Waitangi National Trust, however we’re unable to do that again this year.

“We don’t think it’s quite safe to hold an event, we have in the past held smaller events in the Waikato region.

“We will be encouraging all our people, wherever they are, at home safe, to reflect on Waitangi, on what it means and the bi-cultural partnership and relationships that the Treaty of Waitangi offers uniquely for Aotearoa,” Simmonds said.

“Unfortunately big events are off the cards because of the red status of the Covid framework,” Hamilton mayor Paula Southgate says.

February 6, particularly at the historic treaty grounds site, marks an occasion for Māori and non-Māori to come together and for Māori to share their concerns with the government.

One of the most contentious issues in 2021 was the vaccination roll-out for Māori, leading to health professionals and providers calling out the Government for disproportionately impacting Māori.

But Simmonds said Māori were very good at being able to hold the government to account regardless of the circumstances.

“Many iwi have strong relationships with government no matter what their colour.

“I do think iwi are able to continue to challenge and we do so.

“I think the government does need to continually reflect on how they live up to te iwi Māori as long as we are over-represented in incarceration statistics, under-represented in positive health, academic success,” he said.

More locally, in regard to Te Tiriti partnerships between Māori and local government, in 2021 the Hamilton council unanimously agreed to install two Māori ward seats on council, giving rise to decision-making opportunities for Māori and the wider community.

Mayor, Paula Southgate said it was an important milestone, and the right thing to do.

“Two Māori seats is a very small step in the right direction…having Māori seats means that Māori will have a vote around our table and will be able to shape and influence the city.

“That doesn’t take anything away from anyone else, who still retains their right to be represented. I think Māori seats will represent not just Māori but represent the wider community, as we all do,” she said.

Southgate said the council’s contribution to Waitangi weekend commemorations would be through social media and story sharing.

She said Waitangi is a very important event and local government has to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

“Unfortunately big events are off the cards because of the red status of the Covid framework… So now we’ve got to look at other ways of celebrating our history and build on that.

“It’s also a very positive chance to reflect on our shared history and remembering, of course, that the history of Māori in the Waikato and in Hamilton is 700-800 years old.

“It’s all about understanding how we give effect to the Treaty of Waitangi and remembering our obligations as well, but also as I say, sharing the positive histories that we have in common.”

The Kiingitanga will host online discussions on Facebook and the Tauranga Moana Waitangi Day dawn service will be livestreamed from 6.30am on Sunday, 6 February. The livestream can be accessed here.