Willie Jackson suggests Labour apologise to Tariana Turia’s whānau over controversy

By Pokere Paewai of RNZ

Politicians past and present have paid their respects to Dame Tariana Turia - with Labour MP Willie Jackson saying the party should consider a formal apology to her whānau over her treatment during the Foreshore and Seabed controversy.

The final group of manuhiri was welcomed onto Whangaehu Marae south of Whanganui on Monday afternoon.

Among the speakers was Sir Pita Sharples - who led Te Pāti Māori with Dame Tariana at its founding.

Many other politicians were in attendance, including Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, accompanied by Ministers Nicola Willis, Tama Potaka, Mark Mitchell and Shane Jones.

Chris Hipkins, Christopher Luxon and Nicola Willis arrive for a powhiri at Whangaehu Marae during Dame Tariana Turia’s tangi. Photo / Michael Tweed

Former Prime Minister Bill English - a close friend of Turia‘s - was also there.

The leader of the opposition, Chris Hipkins, and several other Labour MPs also paid their respects.

During his speech on the marae, leader of the Labour Māori Caucus Willie Jackson apologised to Turia for her treatment during the Foreshore and Seabed controversy.

“My own personal view is that I think Labour should consider an apology in the future to her whānau and iwi because I think what happened to her was tragic in many ways,” he told RNZ.

Jackson said there should have been a way for her to give her view while retaining her ministerial position within Labour.

The wider party should consider a formal apology to Turia and her iwi, he said.

Whānau spokesman Che Wilson said it was heartfelt to hear the apology on the marae today.

Banner gifted posthumously

Earlier in the day organisers of the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti were among the manuhiri - they posthumously gifted a banner that was carried at the front of the hīkoi to Turia.

A banner that was gifted at the tangihanga of Dame Tariana Turia by the organisers of Hīkoi mō te Tiriti. Photo: RNZ / Pokere Paewai

November’s hīkoi, which culminated in 40,000 people descending on Parliament, was inspired by Turia’s advocacy for Māori rights, organiser Eru Kapa-Kingi said.

Today is the final day of the tangi - ending with the nehu or burial.

Wilson said the services will begin with karakia followed by a church service to “send Auntie on her way”.

“She’ll [then] be taken to the urupā by Uncle George [Turia] and all the family and then once that’s finished we really ask people to stay to have a kai, because we will be catering for everyone and it’s often really easy for people to leave but there will be takeaway boxes.”

- RNZ