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Prime Minister Helen Clark has used Waitangi Day to claim New
Zealand's race relations are among the best in the world, but under
threat from National's long-term plan to abolish the Maori
seats.
The barb from Clark was about the only sign of political sparring
at this year's ceremonies.
She claims a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere at Waitangi is thanks to the momentum of Maori economic and social development.
There were only a few minor interruptions during Tuesday morning's dawn service at the upper marae in the Far North. The protestors said their piece and then left.
And a series of protest marches urging people to honour the Treaty of Waitangi took place on Tuesday afternoon.
Despite the disruptions, Clark said it is wonderful to see so much positive movement in Maoridom. She says unemployment has fallen by more than half, incomes are up and there is a sense of pride in education, so things are bound to feel better.
Clark says the issues the government now faces include getting people to improve their skills and achieve higher levels of education. She says much work is being done to settle Treaty of Waitangi claims and there is still more to do.
"Quite a lot of iwi negotiate directly with the Crown, but we've all got to put our shoulder to the wheel to move through this chapter of our history. I think that across the country you can see that those that have settled have also had mana restored, which is very important, but they are participating as significant stakeholders in their local communities and regions. The social and economic benefits of that are profound. So, this is a process our country has to move a bit faster on."
Clark says a lot of settlements have been completed in the past seven years and there are another 20 groups actively engaged with the Office of Treaty Settlements.
The relative calm of the day was also felt by new National Party leader John Key who said he was feeling positive about his initial reception at Waitangi.
However, Key said he heard a wide range of speakers who took issue with his plans to abolish the Maori seats by 2014. He says he pointed out that at the moment the Maori seats only offer representation of seven MPs - out of 121.
Key says having all New Zealanders on one electoral roll and treated equally would advance the cause of Maori and of parliament.
He was granted the honour of a front seat at the Taumata, but welcoming new leaders doesn't mean forgetting past wrongs.
"Yes, there's some pain in there and some feel as though the wrongs haven't been righted," Key says. But he says he thinks there's also a feeling that Waitangi is a place that marked the coming together of a nation of which New Zealanders can be proud.
Clark was hotel bound in the morning as she keeps a relatively low profile at Waitangi, wary of courting controversy. But she says National is doing just that with its policy of beginning to abolish the Maori seats in 2014.
"I think it would be a very grave mistake for parliament with a Maori minority in it to legislate over Maori heads on the issue of the Maori seats," she said.
Minister of Maori Affairs Parekura Horomia was the top ranking Labour MP to attend.
He defended Clark's absence from the service. "The Prime Minister never comes to this service but there's myself and a dozen of us that come here."
National day debate
Maori Party MP Hone Harawira has issued an impassioned plea for Waitangi Day to be kept as New Zealand's national day.
His comments to a packed church service at Waitangi come as United Future leader Peter Dunne calls for a separate national day, to recognise cultures other than Maori.
A recent poll shows almost 40% of those surveyed want the country to become a republic.
Dunne says that is very encouraging. He says it ties in with his argument that we should celebrate a New Zealand Day, as well as Waitangi Day.
Dunne says issues of identity relating to the New Zealand flag and national day are all part of the same picture. He says New Zealanders need to grow up and recognise we'll have a new flag, a new constitution and a Republican form of government one day.
But Harawira told a congregation of over 200, and more listening on TV and radio, now is the time to affirm Waitangi Day's status. He spoke of the peace and lack of protest of the past few years, and how it showed New Zealand is finally coming together and moving forward.
In his speech Harawira also called on the government to introduce a Treaty Commissioner.
The role would be similar to the Children's Commissioner. He says he wants somebody who can act neutrally and is above all the politics.
Harawira says everybody's views should be openly presented, but somebody needs to lead that discussion independently. He says the person doesn't have to be Maori, but suggested Justice Eddie Durie might be a good choice.
How are you going to spend your Waitangi Day? Let the team at TVNZ know by emailing us at interactivenews@tvnz.co.nz and we will share it with the rest of the country. Put the word Waitangi in the subject line.
How are you going to spend your Waitangi Day? Let the team at
TVNZ know by emailing us at
interactivenews@tvnz.co.nzand we will share it
with the rest of the country. Put the word Waitangi in the subject
line.
You can also send us your Waitangi Day pictures for our
photogallery!
