PM pays tribute to ethnic mix

Pura Kerekere-Tangira hongis Dame Silvia Cartwright in Hamilton. Picture / Amos Chapple

Prime Minister Helen Clark yesterday used a West Auckland marae as a venue to pay a Waitangi Day tribute to the successes of Maori, Pacific Island and other ethnic groups.

Hundreds of visitors of all nationalities gathered at Hoani Waititi Marae in Glen Eden for an open day marking Waitangi Day, culminating in visits by Helen Clark and National Party leader Don Brash.

The Prime Minister said US Open golf champ Michael Campbell was a shining example of what Maori could achieve, and she praised also Maori and Pacific Island rugby league and union players and those who play in the top echelons of New Zealand netball.

"New Zealand is seen to be doing well, and all our communities contribute to this."

Other achievements, such as the recently released movie River Queen, helped make New Zealand "the dynamic way that we are".

Helen Clark also called for tolerance among ethnic groups, mentioning specifically the Muslim community, enraged by the publication of blasphemous cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed.

"They were upset because they didn't feel their faith had been respected," she said.

Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey said the fact both Helen Clark and Don Brash had made Waitangi Day visits to the marae showed the politicians realised the strategic "importance" of Labour supporting West Auckland.

"We asked her way back, because she has often gone to Manukau ... but this is wonderful for the West.

"This is a hugely important marae ... with its political and social history. This marae is the glue of the West."

Numerous ethnic groups were represented at yesterday's open day, with Polynesian drums competing with powhiri and karakia on the marae grounds.

For Indian immigrant Asiya Akbar of Mt Albert, the event was an opportunity "to see the culture, to know a bit of the culture and show our kids what it's all about".

Helen Clark spent the early afternoon at a Waitangi Day celebration in South Auckland.

Thousands braved scorching temperatures at Manukau's Hayman Park for the event, including a handful of National Front members.

Front spokesman Sid Wilson said the group was at the festival to raise public awareness of a newly discovered but officially suppressed version of the Treaty.

He said the new version - William Hobson's officially approved final English draft - was considered too hot for the authorities to handle.

The new version proved "the current Treaty is a lie, the Government [version of the] Treaty is a lie, the reasons are a lie, and Maori supremacy is a lie", Mr Wilson said.

Helen Clark finished off her Waitangi Day duties at Government House in Auckland.

There, Dame Silvia Cartwright delivered her final Waitangi Day address as Governor-General. She said she was proud to have served in the role for the past five years.

"In my many visits overseas I have discovered that New Zealand is seen more and more as a truly independent, peace-loving, culturally unique and economically savvy country that many states around the globe look to for inspiration.

"That is something we can be proud of. However, pride is not to be confused with complacency. We are a hard-working country, and we must continue to work hard to become an even better place."

Dame Silvia said the ability to "talk together" was the country's greatest strength.

"We have not always talked together as much as we should, and perhaps there will be times like that in the future. But as a general rule, no matter how much we differ on this topic or that, we are always ready to debate."

- Additional reporting Errol Kiong