Going Up the Country
All roads lead to Waitangi, a letter to the King, and where is Christopher Luxon?
I'm going, I'm going
Where the water tastes like wine
I'm going where the water tastes like wine
We can jump in the water
Stay drunk all the time
I'm gonna leave this city, got to get away
I'm gonna leave this city, got to get away
All this fussing and fighting, man, you know I sure can't stay
Songwriters: Alan Wilson
All roads lead to Waitangi.
Late last year, in the wake of the protests against the Treaty Principles Bill, I thought of going to Waitangi this week. This was probably about the same time that Christopher Luxon decided not to go.
Having seen so much division and anger from Kiwis who believe we should respect the words and intentions of the Treaty and the protests leading up to the passing of the first reading of that hated bill, I wasn’t necessarily looking for more of that, although it was one aspect of interest.
More than that, I wanted to see my country back again.
People who have been to Waitangi at this time of year always say that it can be found there, even if that’s not always what is shown on the evening news. As we all know, conflict, controversy, and negativity are what get clicks and attract an audience.
I wanted to see Māori and Pakeha celebrate our coming together on these beautiful islands to live side by side, respecting our differences, as intended.
So, I wasn’t particularly worried about Luxon's absence; if I’d wanted to write another article about what the politicians said, I would have stayed home and watched it on television.
I wanted to experience the positivity I felt during that Hikoi in Tamaki Makaurau and as it arrived at Parliament—a feeling of people united.
I’d been to Waitangi years ago, but not on the day itself, so I checked out accommodation for a visit. Yikes! I probably should’ve started earlier.
There were not a lot of rooms at any of the inns, and what there was seemed very expensive. But with a combination of spending more than I’d like to and changing places after the first night, I managed to find somewhere to stay.
Fi will be coming with me, and we’ll make a wee break of it. Tomorrow, we head north. I’m looking forward to getting there and seeing what the atmosphere’s like.
Wednesday morning we’ll head up to the Treaty grounds to see the politicians greeted, obviously with the exception of Christopher Luxon. I imagine Mr Seymour will receive quite a passionate address, but the person I’m most hoping to see is Marama Davidson, who is back this week.
Then, on Thursday morning, we have an early start and a full day of activities before relaxing on Friday. Perhaps we’ll head across to Russell or further north for the day before returning to Tamaki Makaurau, our dogs, and our abandoned children on Saturday.
I’ll send out newsletters, but I’m not sure exactly when or whether they’ll be a couple of larger ones or perhaps a series of updates from the road. You’ll definitely hear from me, albeit a little less than normal.
A letter to the King
Last week, I received an email from someone who sounded familiar with a possible newsletter topic. The sender, Rita, was my daughter’s Kaimanaaki, or learning assistant—what we might have called a homeroom or house group teacher back in the day, over recent years at Te Kura.
Rita said, “Your name popped up in my search for local independent writers/journalists who advocate and seek fairness, justice, honesty, and truth while also allowing the Indigenous voice to be heard and supported.” She mentioned that mainstream media had not treated them well in the past.
She sent through a letter that had been penned for the King in response to the actions of this government. It was from her brother, she said, “Wayne Taotahi is my eldest brother. We are the sole surviving hereditary ancient tane (male) Tatai (royal line). Taotahi means to recite your genealogy in one line of descent, which we can do to this day.”
Here’s an introductory excerpt:
"I Wayne Te Taotahi, Te Ariki Tangaroa (Chief Supreme) of the Te Taotahi Ariki Whanau of Ngati Torehina ki Mata-ure ō Hau ō Aotearoa, am hereditary Heir to the Te Taotahi Tane Tatai, whose genealogy is a single line of descent’ to the royal bloodline of the great Polynesian navigator, Iro-nui-Maoata, known as Whiro, from Tahiti, born circa 850 AD.
Our hereditary Tane Tatai, is the only male descendant lineage from a signatory to the 1835, Declaration of Independence and the Treaty of Waitangi, 1840. Our association with the British Monarchy is through my great-great-great grandfather Te Tao (Te Taotahi Whakarongorua), born circa 1750.
I considered sending out the full letter, but it was quite long and wordy by its nature. Then, last night, I received a press release, which you can read here:
Press Release: Iwi in a losing battle against Racially Discriminatory New Zealand Parliament
Auckland, 2 February, 2025
In a letter to King Charles, the Iwi requests that the sentiments of multiple United Nations resolutions that affirm the rights of Indigenous Aotearoa Māori communities to their natural resources and cultural identity be upheld by political processes through the adherence to International Law.
The Ngāti Torehina Iwi cites numerous incidents of racial discrimination against Indigenous Māori rights to spiritual traditions attached to their lands and resources, urging King Charles III to end racial discrimination in New Zealand’s Parliament akin to the abolishment of slavery by King William IV.
The Iwi calls out the perpetrators of the racial disharmony - Winston Peters and David Seymour, Coalition Deputy Prime Ministers, citing a twenty-year trail of defeated discriminatory legislation that has been repeatedly introduced as Bills into Parliament to incite racial discrimination in a manner reminiscent of Apartheid Laws.
David Seymour’s ‘Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill’ is the latest discriminatory legislation before Parliament. The Iwi describe the Bill as an abuse of Parliamentary processes to coerce polarising discussion to incite racial discrimination and disharmony against Māori in violation of International Law.
Winston Peters’ Coalition Agreement is conditional on the Government renouncing the United Nations Declaration on the ‘rights of Indigenous people’ and annulling laws referencing the Treaty of Waitangi. The Iwi accuse Winston Peters of revamping his ‘Treaty of Waitangi Deletion Bill 2005’ to further incite racial tensions against Māori for his own selfish political gain.
The Iwi are fearful of the harm done to race relations. Previous National governments have been involved in racially motivated activities. Now, the extreme right-wing Coalition Government are set to replicate the effect of the ‘Dawn Raids’ of 1974–76 on their 50-year anniversary. Dr Melani Anae, describes these raids as ‘the most blatantly racist attack on Pacific peoples by the New Zealand government’.
It seems reasonable to ask, given that the Crown representatives appear to be having difficulty keeping their end of the bargain and are conspiring to change things for their own benefit.
You can find further information here.
Where on Earth is Christopher Luxon?
Recently, we’ve had a good old game of - “Where on Earth is Christopher Luxon?” With the latest instalment asking, "Where will Christopher be for Waitangi this year?”
There are plenty of Māori in the Bay of Plenty, so old favourite Te Puke was out, and let’s be honest, disappearing off to Hawaii would be a bit much - even for a PM with a reputation of going missing when it matters most.
Perhaps he’d embrace his people by revisiting the location where he sought refuge two years ago. Some of you might remember that Luxon decided the Takapuna Yacht Club was the place to be back in 2023 when he described the treaty signing as a “brave experiment”. What a guy.
And what a difference in leadership on Waitangi Day in recent years. Below are Luxon in 2023 and Ardern in 2020. One feeds the people, and the other feeds his face.
Of course, Waitangi was the only place you could be certain Luxon wouldn’t show up on February 6th this year. The Prime Minister announced in December that he had a prior engagement and would, in fact, be somewhere else. Anywhere else.
It didn’t matter where; all he knew was that after all that hikoi business and the revelation on the Jack Tame show that the Treaty Principles Bill hadn’t even been a bottom line in negotiations with ACT, there was no way he would turn up there.
Those are not his people.
Okay, it might have helped convince folks that he genuinely opposes Seymour’s agenda, but there was also the real risk that someone might ask awkward questions, so he had no intention of showing up, even if half the country would think him a gutless coward as a result.
At the time of the Prime Minister’s spineless announcement late last year, Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer said:
“Fronting up is a real Aotearoa thing. I think every culture across Aotearoa respects the fact that you front up and you wear it. What we've seen from Chris Luxon is cowardly behaviour.
It's going to kill me to say this, but Winston stands by Winston, and we know what to expect from ACT - but Chris has continuously shown that he has absolutely no long-term relationship, respect or view for the unity of Aotearoa. He's here for a short term, he's here for the economic, short-term gains, and then he's out.”
Hear, bloody hear.
Finally, this morning, the Prime Minister revealed that he would spend Waitangi in Akaroa. That South Island hotbed of Māori protest.
Yep, that’s right. On a day when we remember the British Crown and Māori signing our Treaty, the PM will spend the day in a place known as the French Village, one that is associated with France’s colonial efforts.
Please note that my criticism is not aimed at the good folks of that beautiful place; I’m sure it will be a great celebration. I just don’t think it’s where the Prime Minister of New Zealand should be on Waitangi Day, this year in particular.
If he had any sort of mana, he would be at Waitangi with the other political leaders instead of sending that quisling Tama Potaka in his place.
What about you? How will you mark Waitangi Day? Are you travelling north, checking out local events where you are, or simply planning a peaceful day and possibly checking out the coverage?
I’ll see you in the comments and in a couple of days - tomorrow is the new Monday this week. If you’re up that way and you want to say hi, I’d be delighted to say hello and meet any of you lovely people. 🙂
If you’d like to support my writing, this week you’ll receive a 20% discount, a Waitangi special, on a subscription for the next 12 months. If that’s something you’re interested in, and it won’t leave you short, please click below and thank you so very much for your support, which allows me to do this. 🙂
Rather ironic for Lux Flakes: from vague memory of reading bits years ago, part of the impetus for the Treaty signing was that the French had gotten a toe-hold in the country at Akaroa. So not only is he a no-show as current Leader (*cough cough*), but is visiting the opposition's home base. Classy.
If ever there was an opportunity to show leadership, Luxon would be at Waitangi, come hell or high water. To escape to Akaroa, ( which I agree is a beautiful place), making sure he won’t run into any problems with protestors, shows what a gutless creature he truly is. Maybe he’s hoping to connect with the French people whose ancestors were signatories to Te Tiriti, all of them, as there are, no doubt,many(?!) or have a nice lunch over a bottle or two of champers, uninterrupted by matters of state which demand his presence, support, respect and attention, at whatever cost to his ego. The sooner this disinterested, petty, useless article, (one to be found on no treaty at all), resigns and leaves, with his family and Nicola in tow, the better for all of us. Let him kiss the very moneyed butts of Elon and Don, instead of wasting our time and money on him who has no portfolios so is redundant anyway.
PS. Have loved this song for decades😁