A four-letter word beginning with H loomed over sun-soaked Waitangi Day celebrations at Otakou marae yesterday.
Hundreds of people gathered at the marae - host of this year's Ngai Tahu Treaty of Waitangi Day festivities, where the theme of "kua takoto te manuka" (the leaves of the manuka tree have been laid down) was prophetic in its selection.
Otakou runanga chairman Edward Ellison said the theme symbolised challenges and choices ahead for Maori.
The relaxed atmosphere contrasted with the speech on Saturday from maverick Maori Party MP Hone Harawira, who gave an alternative State of the Maori Nation address an hour before his leader Pita Sharples gave his party-sanctioned speech. Mr Ellison said Mr Harawira's actions "captured the soundbites but it is a pity in some respect as it does take away some of the importance of the day as a nation".
Visitors to Otakou marae were welcomed with a powhiri, and entertained by cultural performances, speeches and a display of the history and development of the marae.
Te Tai Tonga MP Rahui Katene declined to comment about her fellow Maori Party MP, but said she was enjoying her time at Otakou: "It is not controversial like Waitangi but it still has plenty of people talking about the issues."
Although she acknowledged one of those issues was Mr Harawira, people were also interested in how the Treaty of Waitangi would sit alongside a review of the constitution.
"We really do need to have that discussion as a country."
National Party MP Michael Woodhouse, of Dunedin, said Waitangi Day was a family and community day, where tangata whenua was acknowledged.
Otakou runanga representative Tahu Potiki said Waitangi Day had a special meaning for him as his great-great-grandfather was of the signatories of the treaty.
The public's attitude to Waitangi Day had changed over the past two decades, and while it still had its moments of controversy, it had also become more accepted, "and that is an interesting dichotomy".
"Hone is on the lips of everyone and is the focus of this year's celebrations, but in the scheme of things, it is a storm in the teacup."
