Pro-Palestine supporters interrupt Luxon’s Waitangi Day speech

Thursday, 6 February 2025

Protester escorted away by police during Luxon's speech in Akaroa

Protesters interrupted Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s speech during the Waitangi Day commemoration event with Ngāi Tahu, with one protester being taken away by police.

Luxon is at Ōnuku Marae, on the shores of Akaroa Harbour, on Thursday to mark the 185th anniversary of the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi).

After a late start to the day’s programme, Luxon delivered his speech just after midday but was interrupted by protesters chanting from outside the marae. “Free Palestine! Christopher Luxon is a genocide supporter!” they shouted.

One protester who managed to make his way into the marae was taken away by police.

A protester is escorted from the marae by police during Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's speech.

A police spokesperson said a 34-year-old man was arrested for breach of the peace.

Luxon used his speech to praise Ngāi Tahu for its role “in shaping our understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi”.

“One of the most pressing issues right now is how we, as New Zealanders, continue to honour the promises of the Treaty - in a way that brings us closer rather than pulling us apart. The Treaty Principles Bill is one such challenge. National has made it clear that we will not support this Bill and it will not become law.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon arrives for the Waitangi Day commemorations at Ōnuku Marae.

“National governments have always worked constructively and productively with Māori on Treaty issues while ensuring equal citizenship and equal opportunity for all New Zealanders. That will continue under my government.”

Luxon said the focus had to be on “shared prosperity” and it was to the benefit of the whole of New Zealand when Māori communities succeed. “Looking ahead, the ability to resolve differences and build bridges will be at the heart of New Zealand's success.”

Maori warriors are seen during the Waitangi Day commemorations at Ōnuku Marae.

Ngāi Tahu kaiwhakahaere (chairperson) Justin Tipa told the crowd Te Tiriti o Waitangi remained “very much alive in the consciousness of New Zealand”.

He quipped the prime minister decided to spend Waitangi Day at Ōnuku as part of a subconscious recognition that “our treaty politics is in need of a wilderness experience - a period of deep reflection, elemental cleansing and transformation”.

Luxon speaks at Waitangi Day commemorations at Ōnuku Marae, on the shores of Akaroa Harbour.

Tipa said there had been a dramatic shift in the country’s cultural and political landscape in the last couple of years, and “a clear deterioration” in the Treaty relationships over the past 18 months.

He said too much of the conversation has been focused on abstract, philosophical debates that have been used as “a smoke screen to advance shallow ideological agendas and party politics”.

Luxon and other dignitaries arrive at the Waitangi commemoration event with Ngāi Tahu at Ōnuku Marae.

“If our country continues to divide and fragment, we will lose the trust and faith that makes economic growth and prosperity possible in the first place.”

He also challenged Luxon and his party directly, saying: “A National Party that fails to take leadership on matters of fundamental importance to the identity of our nation is not worthy of its own name.”

Following the keynote speeches, a wānanga (discussion) panel exploring Te Tiriti o Waitangi, its progress, challenges and pathways forward was held in the afternoon.

Ngāi Tahu kaiwhakahaere chairperson Justin Tipa, left, speaks during Waitangi Day commemorations at Ōnuku Marae on February 6, 2025.

The panel traversed some of the issues raised by the Treaty Principles Bill, which was introduced to Parliament due to the coalition agreement between Luxon and ACT party leader David Seymour.

More than 300,000 written submissions have been lodged on the bill, the largest number in New Zealand history.

Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro arrives at Ōnuku Marae on Waitangi Day 2025.

The panellists were Chris Finlayson (former Attorney General and Treaty Negotiations Minister), Lianne Dalziel (former Christchurch mayor and cabinet minister) and Juliet Tainui-Hernandez (Ngāi Tahu board director and adviser, former Assistant Governor, Reserve Bank of New Zealand).

Veteran broadcaster Stacey Morrison (Ngāi Tahu, Te Arawa, Pākehā) facilitated the discussion.

Ngāi Tahu’s Waitangi Day celebrations were held at Ōnuku Marae on Thursday.

Attendees were then invited to share a hākari (feast), hosted by Ngāti Irakehu and Ngāi Tahu whānau.

The events ended with a Ngāi Tahu waiata called Te Taukaea Aroha, which is a song of acknowledgement and thanks to visitors. The message of the lyrics is for people to “come together, join as one, so that the tie of this family may be strong… the rope made of love will always hold strong”.

In Waitangi, events were less charged than on Wednesday, where ACT leader David Seymour’s microphone was taken away twice while he was speaking, and protesters turned their back when government parties spoke.

Ngāti Wai chairperson Aperahama Edwards later explained he took the microphone because Seymour’s speech was “fanning the flames of hurt”.

On Thursday morning at the dawn service, Te Aroha Rountree, the president of New Zealand's Methodist Church, said Christian leaders had a duty and interest in upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi, as they had been so closely involved in its formation as missionaries in the 1800s.

Many of the prayers and karakia discussed the Crown-Māori relationship as a something of a marriage. And if so, Rountree said the Crown appeared to have recently 'filed for divorce' without telling the other half that relationship.

As Seymour departed the service, activist Tāme Iti confronted him saying, “David Seymour, we're not all criminals”.