KEY POINTS:
It was like old times today at Waitangi as veteran activist Titewhai Harawira positioned herself at the hub of an anti-Government protest.
Mrs Harawira, a regular firebrand at Waitangi Day celebrations, was at the side of Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki as he attacked the Government's statement on
religious diversity.
The Destiny Church protest, outside a hotel where regional leaders were attending the interfaith forum, attracted more than 3000 people.
As the Destiny Church protested outside their hotel, leaders from around the Pacific discussed the threat of religious fanaticism.
Many of protesters wore the trademark black suits of the Destiny Church, with their peaceful protest ending in a haka.
"Let's establish New Zealand's Christian heritage", their main banner read.
The Destiny Church protest dwarfed that of human rights activists carrying white crosses, who marched over the Waitangi Bridge to the Treaty grounds.
Meeting journalists afterwards, Mr Tamaki could not resist a flick at them for underestimating how many would turn up and protest.
Mr Tamaki read out a document he has prepared as an alternative to the Government's statement on religious diversity.
The Government's statement, released in February, said Christianity played a formative role in New Zealand's history, but that the country had no official religion.
The alternative document, handed over to forum organisers after it was read out, aimed "to cement New Zealand's Christian identity in such a way that it cannot be tampered with by future Governments".
Police were stationed at every entry to the Waitangi grounds, and at the Copthorne Hotel where the forum was being held.
Officers were stopping and checking every vehicle which entered.
The human rights activists were protesting the extra-judicial killings of about 800 left-wing activists, church members and journalists in the Philippines, under the rule of President Gloria Arroyo, who is attending the forum.
Others at the forum include Prime Minister Helen Clark, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, and Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda.
Mr Tamaki said he had been refused permission to attend the forum as an observer.
Prime Minister Helen Clark was reduced to tears at Te Tii marae one year after being abused by Mrs Harawira.
Another year she was televised walking hand-in-hand with Mrs Harawira on to the marae.
- NZPA
