‘This year will be different’: Ngāi Tahu rūnanga won’t host Waitangi events, they’re heading to Treaty Grounds instead

Tuesday, 20 January 2026

In what may prove an unprecedented political manoeuvre, South Island iwi Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu will not host any Waitangi events next month - and will head to the Treaty Grounds instead.

Ngāi Tahu normally holds Waitangi Day commemorations at the places Te Tiriti o Waitangi was signed in Te Waipounamu [the South Island] - Ōnuku in Banks Peninsula, Awarua near Bluff, and Ōtākou near Dunedin - on a three-year rotation.

Not this year.

This year “will be different,” Ōtākou upoko Edward Ellison and Te Rūnaka o Ōtākou chair Nadia Wesley‑Smith told The Press in a statement.

There will be no official Ngāi Tahu commemorations at Ōtākou Marae. Instead, Ōtākou Rūnanka will lead a Ngāi Tahu ope/group to Waitangi to stand in kotahitanga/unity with iwi of the motu/country.

“We believe that the political climate makes this is a time when unity matters. We are looking forward to strengthening our ties with the kaitiaki [the guardians] of Te Tiriti and being part of the wider kaupapa [agenda] at Waitangi,” Ellison and Wesley‑Smith said.

It is vital that iwi stand together to ensure the collective iwi voice remains strong, they said.

Last year, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon bypassed Waitangi to come to Ngāi Tahu's official Waitangi Day commemorations at Ōnuku.

In a powerful speech delivered at Ōnuku last year, kaiwhakahaere Justin Tipa pointed to a “a clear deterioration” in the Treaty relationships over the previous 18 months and challenged Luxon in 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.”

“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 said.

In 2024 Luxon said he intended to move around the country to commemorate Waitangi Day with iwi across the motu, but was yet to confirm which iwi he would commemorate with this year.

His office said Ngāi Tahu had been 'open' about their plans to be at Waitangi this year, and Luxon’s Waitangi Day movements would be confirmed soon.

The rūnanka said Ōtākou had always carried the flame of political leadership, protest, whawhai [fight], and wero [challenge]. It is this commitment continues to guide its decisions.

Ellison and Wesley‑Smith encouraged whānau to spend time together on February 6.

“As the Treaty of Waitangi was signed at Ōtākou by Korako and Karetai on 13 June 1840, we acknowledge the significance of our history and recognise the importance of celebrating that momentous occasion.

“Although we are not hosting an event at Ōtākou this year, there are still many meaningful ways for people to mark the day in the takiwā [area].

“We encourage everyone to use Waitangi Day as a chance to spend time with friends and whānau. It’s also an opportunity to reflect on what brings us together, and the strength that comes from standing as one.”