The Alliance’s position on treaty principles was made clear in Koronija

photo: Royal Bank of New Zealand

“You may have a Coalition partner, but that only lasts three years, whereas a Maori Party partner is forever” – Rahui Papa

Politicians braved pouring rain and high winds as they descended on Turangawawa marae in Ngaruawahia to celebrate the 18th anniversary of the Maori king’s coronation.

The normally apolitical event was this year fraught with challenges for the government and Prime Minister Christopher Luxembourg.

The speeches had a consistent message, and almost all of them dealt with the controversial Treaty Principles Bill.

Kiingi Tuuheitia adviser Tukoroirangi Morgan set the tone, saying the Government and its policies were putting Maori at risk and trampling over them.

Shouting above the stormy weather, Ngāi Tahu chief executive Justin Tipa appealed directly to Luxon to come clean and take responsibility.

Rahui Papa of the Waikato-Tainui electorate continued his condemnation but also extended an olive branch, saying coalition partners only last three years but Maori are forever.

Read more:

The Treaty Principles Bill, still being drafted, is a key policy for the ACT and promises to repeal, through referendum, court-established principles such as partnership and codify in law a new interpretation focused on equality and property rights.

The move was set out in the coalition agreement, but National and New Zealand First have only committed to referring it to a select committee for discussion. Both parties have said they will not pass it into law, with Luxon and senior New Zealand First minister Shane Jones giving the strongest assurances yet from both parties in Koroneihana on Monday. On Tuesday he further solidified that position, confirming National would vote against it at second reading.

There was little wiggle room in his words, but David Seymour was determined to find it.

The ACT leader has never attended a Koroneihana meeting and this one was no exception – he said he was not invited, but Kiingitanga said everyone was welcome. He told RNZ his coalition partners “may have beaten them to it” and doubled down on Twitter – saying it would be more respectful and democratic for them to wait.

The intensity of the emotions on display this week seems certain to escalate as the bill is due to be published in November and considered by a select committee within six months.

This week Pay attention to politics, Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch reviews the resolution presented to the coalition at the storm-ravaged Koroneihana meeting.

Listen for free Focus on politics exist Apple Podcastsexist Spotifyexist Love Radio Or wherever you get your podcasts.