Te Tii Marae trustees have been told the traditional pre-Waitangi Day powhiri will be moved to the Upper Treaty Grounds but a Ngapuhi kaumatua says that should be the iwi's decision.
Ngapuhi elder Kingi Taurua said a hui was being held at Te Tii Marae on Friday, June 30, to discuss next year's Waitangi Day commemorations after Pita Paraone, Waitangi National Trust chairman, told marae trustees the annual pre-Waitangi powhiri would be held at Te Whare Runanga at the Upper Treaty Grounds next year.
"I said that they are not the speakers for Ngapuhi and this is an issue for Ngapuhi as a whole and Ngapuhi need to have a hui to discuss it," said Mr Taurua.
The decision to bypass Te Tii Marae comes after years of controversy. Mr Paraone said in particular it was the events over the past two commemorations which led to the decision.
This included a lack of speaking rights which led to Prime Minister Bill English and former PM John Key not attending; and the media ban.