Tama Potaka's speech at Waitangi was met with turned backs. Photo: RNZ/Samuel Rillstone
Politicians from the coalition government received a frosty reception at Waitangi this year, but Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka says the pōwhiri that received so much attention was just one part of many events throughout the week.
Although his speech was met with turned backs yesterday, Potaka told Morning Report it had been an "absolute privilege" to be invited to participate in the Waitangi festivities.
"Whilst there has been some real engagement, and some people described it as tension, for me it's a privilege to represent the government and represent Christopher Luxon."
When Morning Report host Ingrid Hipkiss asked what he thought about being described as a traitor, Potaka said "People call others names in many various ways, but I'm an absolute servant to the various kaupapa that's happening up in Northland."
Waitangi day itself was not the only important event that had occurred this week, Potaka said.
"We're there to celebrate an number of hui, and a number of matters that took place over the week.
"We visited Māori businesses, tourism businesses, throughout the mid-north. We attended Ngāti Rēhia down at Kerikeri to hand back the Pā site known as Kororipo. Yes, there is the Waitangi Day, which took place yesterday, but actually there's a week of engagement and a week of activities that we're only too enthusiastic to participate in."
Senior NZ First Minister Shane Jones previously made a veiled threat to cut future funding for Waitangi festivities after the the pōwhiri, which he described as a "circus".
When asked for a response on Morning Report, Potaka said he would not comment on the minister's quotes.
"We engage with many people who don't agree with us. And we don't fund events or fund activities on the basis of agreeing or disagreeing around political issues," Potaka said.
Pita Tipene
Chairperson of the Waitangi National Trust Pita Tipene. Photo: RNZ
Chairperson of the Waitangi National Trust Pita Tipene told Morning Report that tensions - such as David Seymour's microphone being removed during his speech - were a part of the debate about the Treaty that the country needed to face up to.
Prime minister Christopher Luxon not attending Waitangi was part of that problem, he said.
"I think that the Prime Minister needed to be in Waitangi as the person holding the highest office for the Kāwanatanga."
In response to Jones's veiled threats about future funding for Waitangi festivities, Tipene said he was not worried.
"I like to think how politics works and why people say what they say. It's all about grabbing headlines, and having the attention focussed on them," he said.
The Waitangi National Trust would not be paid off, he said.
Despite political distractions, the highlight of the Waitangi celebrations had been watching people enjoy themselves, he said.
"People seemed to focus on the pōwhiri for the government, which is very important of course, but that's about five percent of what happens around the Waitangi precinct."
Tipene is now retiring from his role as the Chair of the Waitangi National Trust.
Looking forward he said he thought people were starting to focus in on what Te Tiriti was all about.
"As we approach 2040, and the bi-centennial of the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, it's come along in leaps and bounds, and I think we'll keep focussing on, and having the discourse and debate that's required that will make us the nation that was envisaged in 1840," he said.
"By 2040 this country will not be simply as we see it now. The populations are changing and attitudes are differing," he said.
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