Treaty Principles Bill is 'dead', Peters tells Rātana

Winston Peters was dismissive of the contentious Treaty Principles Bill in his speech at Rātana...
Winston Peters was dismissive of the contentious Treaty Principles Bill in his speech at Rātana today. Photo: RNZ
By Pokere Paewai of RNZ

A string of politicians have cast doubts on the future of the contentious Treaty Principles Bill, during speeches at Rātana.

The Treaty Principles Bill is "dead in the water", New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said.

And, The bill will "never going to go past the first reading," he told those in attendance on Friday at the movement's largest gathering for the year.

In his turn at the podium, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon reiterated his earlier stance against the bill's future prospects: "National won't support the bill - it will be voted down and it won't become law." The PM also said he wants to see more Treaty settlements during his time in the top job.

Green MP Teanau Tuiono said that while political parties present today at Rātana have many differences, all have no love for the Treaty Principles Bill, and the fight had just begun to stop it.

It follows New Zealand First's Shane Jones telling people not to waste any more energy opposing the controversial bill, because it will never see the light of day.

The prime minister was welcomed to Rātana on Friday morning, along with Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins, other National and Labour MPs, and members of New Zealand First and the Green Party.

Earlier, a Māori leader said the Rātana celebrations would be a chance for the prime minister to front up to Māori.

Followers of the Rātana Church, called mōrehu, gather at the small settlement south of Whanganui each year in January to celebrate the birthday of the movement's founder, Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana, on 25 January.

The event traditionally marks the start of the political year, as politicians pay tribute to the movement and engage with Māori leaders.

Rātana was known for its longstanding alliance with the Labour Party, with candidates from a Rātana background holding the Māori seats for several decades.

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer won the Te Tai Hauāuru seat, of which Rātana Pā is a part, at the last election.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister Nicola Willis arrive at Rātana celebrations...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister Nicola Willis arrive at Rātana celebrations. Photo: RNZ
ACT was the only party not attending the celebrations.

Tainui leader Tuku Morgan told RNZ the gathering would be a chance for the prime minister to front up to Māori.

"He may not be fronting up in Waitangi, he made that clear, but he can't run forever."

Luxon's decision to skip Waitangi commemorations was a symbol of the government's inability to find "meaningful solutions" for Māori issues, Morgan said.

"Right now, anything meaningful has been crushed and annihilated."

The Prime Minister said he enjoyed going to Rātana, adding it was not a deeply political occasion.

"My message will be really about how do we move forward as a country a little bit, how do we make sure we respect the Treaty, how do we respect each other? It doesn't mean we're going to agree on everything, but actually it means we should still be very focussed on the goal of making New Zealand better," Luxon said.

He said there were "a number of opportunities" regarding where he would attend Waitangi commemorations, which would be confirmed closer to the time.

The celebrations at Rātana traditionally mark the start of the political year. Photo: RNZ
The celebrations at Rātana traditionally mark the start of the political year. Photo: RNZ
Ngarewa-Packer said the prime minister was being led by ACT, pointing to recent appointments at the Waitangi Tribunal - among them, former ACT leader Richard Prebble.

"The political landscape has shown us that the legacy of Luxon isn't a legacy that will be largely remembered positively by te ao Māori."

Rātana spokesperson Kamaka Manuel told the government representatives he wanted to see collaboration between the Crown and Rātana on the repair of its marae buildings.

Rātana Pā is set to receive $10.1 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to fix its ailing infrastructure.

Former Te Pāti Māori co-leader Tariana Turia was still being mourned at Rātana Pā. Both speakers from the hau kāinga (the home side) paid tribute to Turia in their kōrero.

The office of the Governor-General said a miscommunication was behind Dame Cindy Kiro's absence at Rātana this morning, where she was expected.

In a statement, Kiro said she recognises the significance of the annual Rātana celebrations, and she "wishes all those involved well for the celebrations."