Treaty Principles Bill weighing on minds at Rātana Pa

The Government’s Treaty Principles Bill and a “skyrocketing” cost of living are expected to be among the issues Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will face as he attends annual Rātana celebrations.

Luxon, who gave his State of the Nation address in Auckland yesterday, arrived at Rātana Pa this morning ahead of members of the Government and Opposition being welcomed on to Rātana’s marae in what is considered the beginning of the political year.

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Thousands flock to the small settlement near Whanganui every year in the days before January 25, which marks the birthday of Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana, the founder of the Māori religious movement.

The day before, January 24, is often when politicians arrive to celebrate Rātana’s birthday. The church is known for its ties with Labour but almost all political parties regularly attend the annual festivities.

In recent years, members of the Opposition were welcomed on to the marae separately from the Government. This year, all politicians would take part in a single pōwhiri, starting at 12 noon – aside from Te Pāti Māori, which has already been welcomed this week alongside the Kīngitanga and new Māori Queen Ngā Wai hono i te pō.

Rātana spokesman Piriwiritua Rurawhe told the Herald Luxon would arrive earlier for a short service at Rātana’s iconic temple.

“[Luxon has] indicated that he’s a man of faith and so I’ll be having a conversation with him about the background of the Rātana movement.”

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon during his speech at Rātana Pa last year. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Luxon’s visit to Rātana comes days before oral submissions begin for the controversial Treaty Principles Bill, which seeks to redefine Te Tiriti’s principles, an effort many Māori leaders and organisations have opposed.

While the final number of written submissions is yet to be confirmed, it is estimated more than 300,000 have been made.

Rurawhe accepted the bill was one factor that had contributed to a “very tough few months”, noting Rātana’s long-standing position that Te Tiriti o Waitangi was anchored in partnership.

“If that partnership is going to be impacted, then it will impact on kotahitanga [unity],” he said.

While hesitant to predict what Rātana’s speakers might discuss with the Government’s representatives, Rurawhe said there was little doubt the bill would be raised.

“Absolutely, it’s on the tip of everyone’s tongues.

“All of our people are talking heavily about the Treaty Principles Bill and what the impacts of that could be on them.”

The bill is an Act creation, spearheaded by Act party leader David Seymour and supported only to first reading by National and New Zealand First. Luxon has repeatedly stated his opposition to the bill and confirmed it would be voted down at its second reading.

When the Herald first spoke to Rurawhe, he said Seymour had indicated he was attending but it was later clarified that he would not.

“I think it’s an opportunity missed for him to, dare I say, front up to te iwi Māori, post the hīkoi, and post the closure of the submissions for the Treaty Principles Bill,” Rurawhe said.

“Seymour talks a lot about accountability and transparency, well haere mai [welcome].”

Act leader David Seymour has said he believes Waitangi is the true start to the political year. Photo / Ben Dickens

Seymour has long opposed the idea that Rātana kicks off the political year, instead seeing the Waitangi celebrations as more deserving of that title.

Instead of trekking to Rātana, Seymour today will be giving his own State of the Nation address in Auckland – one day after Luxon’s.

He told the Herald he had tried to organise a meeting before the festivities but efforts had been unsuccessful.

Seymour said the bill’s progress in the House hadn’t made him reconsider attending, believing Parliament was the right forum for the debate.

The bill won’t be the sole issue likely to confront the Government today. Rurawhe said the Rātana community was plagued by unemployment, particularly in light of extensive public service job cuts implemented by the Government.

“People are struggling, living pay cheque to pay cheque,” he said, referencing the “skyrocketing” cost of living.

At last year’s Rātana celebrations, the Government was challenged to work with Māori organisations to ensure a better standard of living for communities that often experienced poorer economic and social conditions.

Luxon responded, as he often has, by arguing the Government’s aim to improve the standard of living for all New Zealanders would include Māori.

Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka argues the Government has delivered better outcomes for Māori communities. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Rurawhe accepted improvements had been made but he said Rātana whānau were among those who struggled the most in New Zealand.

“We do still need more action to help those families where it matters.”

Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka said that in areas such as housing the Government had made significant strides, particularly in Māori communities, and efforts to cut back regulatory obstacles would only enhance that work.

Asked if he expected Rātana to recognise that today, Potaka suspected there would be several issues speakers would likely touch on – a nod to the Treaty Principles Bill.

“[Interest in the bill] is massive and the number of submissions signifies that, but I think we’ve been very clear as a National Party where we stand on that issue.

“There’s a sense of awareness and understanding the National Party has different views to some of our coalition partners on a couple of things.”

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, also of the Rātana faith and the local Te Tai Hauāuru MP, expected Rātana leaders to seek an answer to what the Government had planned to support Māori communities after repealing the previous Government’s initiatives such as the Māori Health Authority.

“I think the focus will easily turn to the wellbeing of our people ... we’re not getting a sense that there’s anything Māori on their radar.”

Adam Pearse is a political reporter in the NZ Herald press gallery team, based at Parliament. He has worked for NZME since 2018, covering sport and health for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei before moving to the Herald in Auckland, covering Covid-19 and crime.