Marama Davidson and Chloe Swarbrick speak about Marama's return to parliament, her cancer journey and what's in store for the Greens this year. Video / Alyse Wright
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is drawing inspiration from the late Green MP Fa’anānā Efeso Collins on her return to politics as she criticises Prime Minister Christopher Luxon for his absence from Waitangi for this year’s celebrations.
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson talks ahead of the Waitangi celebrations with co-leader Chloe Swarbrick at the Treaty Grounds, Waitangi
New Zealand Herald photograph by Alyse Wright 03 February 2024
It comes as tens of thousands flock to Waitangi for a near-week of celebrations marking New Zealand’s national day and the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Having undergone surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, Davidson told reporters she was “thankful to be well” and getting stronger every day – even admitting she had had “Fomo” [fear of missing out] in recent months.
Davidson said her time away from politics had proved the value of balancing personal and professional life, explaining she’ll likely have a lighter travel schedule and would “protect” her weekends.
However, Davidson said she had “renewed belief in the power of community”, recalling a quote from Collins: “No one stands alone, no one succeeds alone and no one suffers alone.”
Green party co-leader Marama Davidson was diagnosed with breast cancer last year.
She used Collins’ words to emphasise how Luxon’s absence from Waitangi showed he was “not the person for the job”.
Luxon today confirmed he would spend Waitangi Day at Ōnuku Marae in Akaroa with Ngāi Tahu. He had long referenced his view that Prime Ministers should celebrate the national day across the country.
Davidson didn’t endorse Luxon’s position, arguing he should front at Waitangi, given it was the Treaty’s birthplace and the range of his Government’s policies that impacted the Treaty.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins echoed Davidson, saying Luxon could easily attend Wednesday’s pōwhiri for MPs and celebrate on Thursday elsewhere.
He believed the decision not to attend revealed Luxon wasn’t interested in listening to criticism of his Government’s agenda, and the Treaty Principles Bill in particular.
“The Government’s approach to the Treaty Principles Bill has been akin to throwing a hand grenade into a crowd and then complaining that people have started to scream,” Hipkins said from Paihia.
“The reality here is that they’ve got to hear what people have to say.”
Asked for the theme of his speech at Wednesday’s pōwhiri, Hipkins said it would be centred around unity while recognising everyone didn’t need to be the same.
He said “some” of his speech would be in te reo Māori, acknowledging his education was a “work in progress”.
Before the Parliament pōwhiri, Ngāpuhi would welcome representatives of the Kīngitanga, including new Māori Queen Nga wai hono i te po, tomorrow from 2pm.
Joining that pōwhiri would be Te Pāti Māori, which has in recent years splintered from the other political parties while attending such events.
Earlier today, Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro was welcomed on to the Treaty Grounds. She would not remain in Waitangi until Thursday, as she was travelling south to join Luxon in Akaroa.
