Whakatū Marae and Ngāti Koata are inviting Nelsonians to join them to commemorate Waitangi Day. This annual marae event had fallen into abeyance since Covid hit. I have advocated as Mayor and a member of the Whakatū Marae Committee to have it revitalised.
This event is important in improving understanding of our nation’s founding document, giving people the opportunity to experience marae protocol and to build good relationships with our local iwi. I am grateful to Ngāti Koata for taking the initiative to host this year’s event.
There is much in the 150-year history of Nelson City Council that we can be proud of. However, it is only in recent years that any attempt has been made to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi and include iwi in decisions about our city.
I was very involved as a Government Minister and as Nelson’s then MP in the settling of Te Tauihu Treaty claims in 2014 and I am determined now, as Mayor, that these are honoured by our Council. I signed, on Council’s behalf, on 12 December 2023 the historic agreement between our eight Te Tauihu iwi us and our two neighbouring councils of Tasman and Marlborough. The challenge now is to implement this agreement in a way that builds confidence and shows the benefits of working together.
This is particularly important when, nationally, Treaty issues are becoming more divisive and when, internationally, disputes over culture and race are causing conflict. We need to acknowledge there is a tension between the important principle that all New Zealanders are treated equally regardless of ethnicity and honouring the Treaty, and find a pragmatic way forward.
I want Council doing some good practical projects with iwi that benefit all. I also want to see progress on improving Māori outcomes in key areas such as housing, health and education.
The Waitangi Day commemorations on Tuesday, 6 February, include pōwhiri at 9am, 11am and 12pm, enabling the experience of a traditional Māori welcome. The event includes a hāngī, traditional Māori art and more than 70 other stalls. It’s a day to celebrate our unique history and culture.
