Waitangi Day 2005: Face-offs but no violence brings relief

It may have been the bad weather or the influence of the fledgling Maori Party as it looks for political mana in its chase for seven seats in this year's general election.

Whatever the reason, the 165th commemoration this weekend of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 will go down as one of the most peaceful in years.

There were protests but little tension, face-offs but no violence.

Several radicals of previous years had become the moderates and peacemakers of today - including Hone Harawira, who is standing for the Maori Party against Labour's Dover Samuels in Te Tai Tokerau, and Mike Smith, most famous for attacking Auckland's historic pine on One Tree Hill. Both men consistently urged restraint.

There was only one arrest for the weekend - a Pakeha youth who threw himself in front of Opposition Leader Don Brash's car on Saturday as he left the Te Tii Marae. The large contingent of police were happy that most people had come to Waitangi to enjoy the day and witness the protest.

"We have seen this year probably the most peaceful, the most welcoming and the most law-abiding Waitangi Day for some years," said the police Far North area commander, Inspector Mike Rusbatch.

About 80 police surrounded the flagstaff in the Treaty House grounds yesterday - traditionally the site of action and violence as protesters try to raise their own flag. By noon, as the frigate HMNZS Te Mana fired a 21-gun salute in honour of New Zealand's national day, close to 2000 protesters had gathered in two groups on the Treaty House grounds.

In other years the protesters have had ugly physical confrontations with police. This year they fronted up to the Maori wardens who lined up between the police and the protesters.

They taunted the police but made no move to get physical. "In my heart, in myself, I was so relieved," Maori warden Tema Napia said. "They have abused Maori wardens but they have never broken through that line."

It was also a weekend when Dr Brash was far more visible than Prime Minister Helen Clark.

Dr Brash visited the Te Tii Marae on Saturday and was seated between Maori activist Tame Iti and Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki. After his speech he was thanked with a song led by activist Titewhai Harawira.

Dr Brash also attended the dawn service at the Whare Runanga on the Treaty House grounds, leading a prayer in which he asked for forgiveness for the failings of forebears.

"All of us have fallen short of what we should have done in the last 165 years and it is appropriate to acknowledge that and to confess that sin," he said after the service. Helen Clark had one public outing - a 15-minute walkabout around the sports reserve next to the hotel.

She hosted a private breakfast for VIPs yesterday and attended the Governor-General's cocktail function, but refused to visit Te Tii Marae after she was jostled and pushed last year.