Ms Costello claimed protesters were "not shy about telling porkies". She quoted Ms Ngata:
"When somebody lands and then shoots the first person that they see, and then the next day shoots another 15, and then wants to get a closer look at a waka so they shoot everybody in the waka so they can get a closer look at it and everybody in that waka was unarmed, they were just fisher people."
That had been the subject of "quite a debate" in Gisborne, prompting Hobson's Pledge to look at Cook's journal. On October 9, 1769, he attempted to land in two small boats. "Natives" surged from the woods brandishing weapons. Two volleys were fired over their heads, and a third volley aimed at them killed one.
The following morning Cook found a menacing crowd brandishing clubs and pikes and began a haka. About 30 warriors rejected gifts, and attempted to grab weapons from Cook's men. When one of them ran off with the astronomer's cutlass, Cook gave the order to fire, killing another and injuring three.
A few days later there was another skirmish when Māori in boats attempted to throw missiles and projectiles. Warned by shots over their heads, they were fired on and two or three were killed.
"In other words, Cook's journal is clear," she said. "Four or five Māori were killed, the only query being if one was killed or injured, and all deaths resulted from Māori aggression. The protesters should tell the truth.
"What evidence is there that Māori lived in peace, harmony, health and prosperity until Captain Cook sailed into the East Coast bay? What evidence is there that these groups would have been in better shape today (or even survived) if Captain Cook had never reached this country?
"Implying that the visit by Captain Cook 250 years ago is to blame for Māori having the worst outcomes in health, education and justice is ridiculous. For instance, life expectancy for Māori has improved vastly with colonisation, from around 30 years in 1840 to 75 years in 2013."
The publication of falsehoods could incite resentment, hatred and violence, she said. The millions of New Zealand citizens who were proud of their shared history of hard work and sacrifice should not be denied the opportunity to celebrate the anniversary of Captain Cook the explorer, who opened the way for the country all now enjoyed.