Saturday, 20 August 2022
OpinionSportBusinessLifestyleRural
Residential Property Listings
Driven MotoringPhotosVideoClassifieds
KaitaiaWhangareiDargaville
NZ HeraldThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay Of Plenty TimesRotorua Daily PostHawke's Bay TodayWhanganui ChronicleThe Stratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu CourierVivaEat WellOneRoofDriven MotoringThe CountryPhoto SalesNZ Herald InsightsWatchMeGrabOneiHeart RadioRestaurant Hub

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
Northern Advocate

Waitangi: Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy speaks on NZ history, Te Tiriti and the constitution

3 Feb, 2021 11:20 PM3 minutes to read
Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy was welcomed onto the Treaty grounds at Waitangi today for her fifth and final time in the role. Photo / File

Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy was welcomed onto the Treaty grounds at Waitangi today for her fifth and final time in the role. Photo / File

Michael  Neilson
By
Michael Neilson

Michael Neilson is a senior political reporter for the New Zealand Herald

VIEW PROFILE

The Governor-General says she looks forward to when every New Zealander can have an "informed conversation" about the Treaty of Waitangi and see it as a "source of pride and possibility".

Dame Patsy Reddy made the remarks this morning in her fifth and likely final appearance at Waitangi in her role, an opportunity she said had always been an "important honour".

Reddy was formally welcomed at a pōwhiri on the treaty grounds, escorted by her kuia Hiria Hape and kaumatua Joe Harawira, and flanked by kuia Titewhai Harawira, as she was met with the traditional challenge by Tai Tokerau warriors.

Read More

  • Big waka to feature at Kawerau Waitangi Day event - NZ Herald
  • Covid 19 coronavirus: Waitangi Day organisers keeping close eye on Covid - iwi leaders say don'...
  • Claire Trevett: Covid 19 coronavirus - the Waitangi conundrum for Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern...
  • Jacinda Ardern welcomed on to the birth place of the Treaty of Waitangi - NZ Herald

After formal speeches Reddy, who was appointed to a five-year term as Governor-General in 2016, spoke from the mahua (porch) of the whare rūnanga, reflecting on how far the country had come, but also how much more work had to be done.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Over her tenure attending Waitangi as representative of the Crown Treaty partner, she'd heard Māori express social concerns, environmental issues and the impacts of climate change, and ongoing Treaty grievances, the largest of which - Ngāpuhi - remains unresolved.

"I can't solve them all, but I can listen. We all have to do more to uphold the expectations of our forbears when they signed Te Tiriti."

She quoted the late Ngāti Hine kaumatua Tā James Henare, imploring the country to look forward.

"Maha rawa wa tatou mahinga te kore mahi tonu, tawhiti rawa to tatou haerenga te kore haere tonu / You have come too far not to go further; you have done too much, not to do more."

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and other dignitaries at the Upper Marae at Waitangi. Photo / Michael Cunningham
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and other dignitaries at the Upper Marae at Waitangi. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Reddy also made clear her views on the recent announcement to teach Aotearoa/New Zealand history in school, covering everything from the first arrivals to the New Zealand Wars and impacts colonisation.

"I am thrilled all children will soon be learning the history of Aotearoa as part of the curriculum, so when they visit Waitangi they will know what and why they are visiting. It will be so much more profound.

Related articles

Long-lost graves honoured as Waitangi commemorations begin

03 Feb 04:00 PM
New Zealand|Politics

PM denies empty promises to Māori - hints at wedding news 'soon'

04 Feb 04:53 AM

"I look forward to the time when every citizen is able to have an informed conversation about Te Tiriti relationship, see it as a source of pride and possibility."

Speaking to reporters after her speech Reddy was asked if she thought New Zealand was ready for a conversation about the future role of the monarch in Aotearoa and how that could affect the Treaty relationship.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

"I think we are having that now," she said.

Reddy said she was "very happy" with the current situation, but if there was a shift to a republic at some point it was important one of the Treaty partners remained the head of state.

"I think we have a good balance in the constitution at the moment.

"Whether we become a republic or stay as a constitutional monarchy, it is important we continue that connection with our history."

Reddy also said Māori wards were an "great idea", as well as Matariki as a public holiday.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Northern Advocate

Northern Advocate

Firefighters save man trapped on car roof in raging torrent

19 Aug 06:01 PM
Premium
Northern Advocate

OPINION: The sacred can still be found in the world - Vaughan Gunson

19 Aug 05:00 PM
Northern Advocate

Opinion: What can't freeze time but we can slow down ageing

19 Aug 05:00 PM
Premium
Northern Advocate

High supermarket prices prompt more Northlanders to grow their own tropical fruit

19 Aug 05:00 PM
Northern Advocate

Ahipara mouth painter Kevin Griffiths' love of the beach behind artwork sold around the world

19 Aug 05:00 PM
Get a free appraisal with Barfoot and Thompson Whangarei

Most Popular

Firefighters save man trapped on car roof in raging torrent
Northern Advocate

Firefighters save man trapped on car roof in raging torrent

19 Aug 06:01 PM
'Disturbing' sex ed handout given to young students: innocence stolen, says mum
Northern Advocate

'Disturbing' sex ed handout given to young students: innocence stolen, says mum

18 Aug 12:47 AM
'I got kicked three times': Mother on trial for ill-treatment of her nine children
Northern Advocate

'I got kicked three times': Mother on trial for ill-treatment of her nine children

15 Aug 05:32 PM

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
Get a free appraisal with Barfoot and Thompson Whangarei
About NZMEHelp & SupportContact UsSubscribe to The Northern AdvocateHouse Rules
Manage Your Print SubscriptionThe Northern Advocate E-EditionAdvertise with NZMEBook Your AdPrivacy Policy
Terms of UseCompetition Terms & ConditionsSubscriptions Terms & Conditions
© Copyright 2022 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP