Politicians visiting Ratana Marae yesterday got a strong message from speaker Uruea Abraham who broke protocol by speaking in English and saying it was "obvious that many of you are sitting here without being able to understand the eloquence and beauty of the Maori language".
Mr Abraham said Maori had had 175 years of understanding the English language and that the Treaty of Waitangi settlements equated to just "one cent in the dollar.
"Don't play with the Treaty of Waitangi and treat it like a game of ping pong" he urged visiting politicians. It was time for government to work towards a future of true partnership with Maori.
The gathering was part of the annual celebration of the birthday of spiritual and political leader Tahupotiki Wiremu (TW) Ratana. The speeches were led by Te Tai Hauauru MP Adrian Rurawhe, a great-grandson of TW Ratana.
Labour leader Andrew Little paid tribute to TW Ratana for his foresight and said he was well ahead of financier Gareth Morgan who was also at Ratana yesterday and has written a book on the Treaty of Waitangi.