Philanthropist and economist Gareth Morgan has set out two challenges to the Government during his first visit to Ratana Pa.
The first was not to flinch from ensuring Pakeha were told of the relationship the Treaty of Waitangi set out and the duty of care that would continue after the settlement process was complete.
The second was to push through constitutional reforms to ensure true co-governance.
He described the current political structure as offering Maori only "trinkets of political office" that fell short of shared governance.
Mr Morgan also delivered his own pledge: "my undertaking is to do all I can to persuade my fellow New Zealanders that we need to honour that commitment."
Mr Morgan was welcomed onto Ratana this morning in the lead up to weekend celebrations for the anniversary of the birth date of prophet Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana.
He told those gathered that he had been researching his book on the Treaty - Are We There Yet? - for the past five years.
"The title is a reference to the strong perception by Pakeha that once the claims are done we can get back to normal - whatever normal is."
He said the reality was that many challenges lay ahead. Those included addressing social and economic disadvantages.
Each time he had written about the topic, such as in his recent four part series in the Herald, he had received abusive emails. "That tells me we have a high level of ignorance about the document. We have a major job ahead of us to convince Pakeha that the job is not over. "
The Ratana morehu (followers) will welcome politicians including new Labour leader Andrew Little and Green Party and Maori Party MPS tomorrow. Prime Minister John Key is overseas so it will be the first year he has not attended - National's delegation will be led by deputy Prime Minister Bill English.
By Claire Trevett of the New Zealand Herald
