KEY POINTS:
I was fortunate enough to attend this year's commemorations at Waitangi.
My attendance followed the invitation from Ngapuhi to take part in an iwi leaders' forum, to discuss and advance iwi development and the opportunities available to work together.
The hui was well attended and replicated the general feeling of unity around the Waitangi grounds and throughout various events and activities over the course of the commemorations.
There was a willingness to work together, a supportive mood, and the opportunity to acknowledge our past and to embrace and seek a positive future for our people and future generations.
It was satisfying to take part in this hui, where there now is some real economic clout within iwi to effect change for our people, and for those in the communities that we share.
Combined Maori-owned commercial assets were estimated in 2005-06 to be worth $16.5 billion. This amount has grown significantly since, and has been enhanced by a number of iwi who have concluded or are in the process of concluding their settlements.
It is a process that returns some of the resources that were lost as a result of Treaty of Waitangi breaches.
Maori now have formidable commercial resource which gives value to the people we serve and assists in the development and advancement of Aotearoa.
What is required to enhance this potential is better co-ordination and co-operation among the many diverse groups, land holdings, small business and iwi groups who make up this emerging commercial powerhouse.
One event at this year's commemorations, which dominated media coverage on the Thursday and Friday, highlighted a serious difficulty Maori face as we move forward.
A couple of disgruntled individuals decided to gatecrash the Ngapuhi welcome for Prime Minister John Key by pushing him and ranting about their personal agendas.
The actions of the unknown pair were not condoned by the Ngapuhi hosts, nor were they actions appropriate to Ngapuhi or Maori protocol.
And yet there is real potential that some throughout the country will seize on this isolated event - the actions of just two men - to highlight "continued Maori grievance".
Maori face the unenviable situation of too often being held accountable by the lowest common denominator within our people.
This is an unfair position, that places an unhelpful burden on our development and curtails the positive and progressive desires of the vast majority of our peoples.
There were very positive themes at Waitangi this year, and there was a shared appreciation of the difficulties we as a country face as the realities of the global economic decline continue to bite.
There was unanimous support, certainly among iwi leaders, for doing what we can to help and protect our peoples during this time.
This positive mood will be further enhanced if the actions of a very small minority are disregarded.
