Prime Minister Bill English says he will not be changing his mind to stay away from Te Tii Marae, despite an apology from Ngāpuhi kaumatua Kingi Taurua.
Prime Minister Bill English addresses reporters about his decision not to attend Waitangi Day commemorations. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
A meeting was held at Te Tii Marae in Waitangi today to discuss a letter that was sent to Mr English, telling him he would not have speaking rights during the pōwhiri
Mr Taurua yesterday apologised after it was discovered the letter was not vetted by the marae's board. He said Mr English was now welcome to speak at Te Tii Marae, even in English.
However, during his first overseas trip as prime minister, in Europe, Mr English told media he was thankful for Mr Taurua's apology but he would not be changing his mind.
He said he would be standing by his decision to go to Waitangi only for an iwi leaders' meeting, and attend Waitangi Day events in Auckland instead.
He had said earlier that the marae committee was disorganised and he would not change his plans even if he was allowed to speak.
Kaumatua of Te Tii Marae met this afternoon with marae trustees and the committee to discuss the letter and Mr English's refusal to be welcomed onto the marae.
One of the organisers of the day's events, Pita Paraone, said the hui went well and it had been accepted Mr English would not be coming.
They were going ahead with their preparations and looking at trying to deter protesters by doing things a little differently, he said.
"One of the things that they're trying to do is looking at the logistics of having the formal welcome inside the house, rather than having it outside on the marae in front of the meeting house."
Timeline around Waitangi Day events
- 21 December, 2016: Bill English's office writes to Waitangi marae chairman Ngāti Kawa Taituha seeking clarification about the prime minister's invitation to attend and speak at the pōwhiri at Te Tii Marae.
- 4 January, 2017: Mr Taituha replies, saying Mr English would be invited to the pōwhiri, but his Māori representative would be the only person able to speak. He would be able to speak at a forum after the pōwhiri.
- 8 January, 2017: Mr English's office turns down the invitation to attend the pōwhiri, on the basis he would not be given full speaking rights.
- 9 January, 2017: Mr English publicly announces his decision not to attend Waitangi commemorations in the Far North. He says he will spend Waitangi Day in Auckland instead.
- 11 January, 2017: Kingi Taurua apologises to Mr English and says Mr English will be allowed to speak at the pōwhiri.
- 12 January, 2017: Meeting held at Te Tii Marae in Waitangi to discuss the letter, Mr English confirms he will not attend.