Christopher Luxon.
Photo: RNZ/Nick Monro
Nordiwi Ngāti Hine and Ngāti Manu have written an open letter to the Prime Minister calling on him to recognise that Māori have not ceded their sovereignty to the Crown.
Christopher Luxon told Parliament during Question Time last week that the Crown is “sovereign” and that Māori ceded their sovereignty when they signed the Treaty of Waitangi.
Both iwi met on Sunday to discuss whanaungatanga and shared interests related to their ongoing treaty arrangements. They want the Prime Minister to meet with them in Waitangi to “set the record straight” and discuss the relationship between Māori and the Crown.
“Your testimony and that of those who support your testimony distort the truth,” the letter says.
“Her testimony further undermines the findings of the independent commission of inquiry, the Waitangi Tribunal … in particular the Waitangi Tribunal’s 2014 phase one report on He Whakaputanga me te Tiriti (The Declaration and Treaty), which states: ‘In February 1840 the rangatira who signed Te Tiriti did not cede their sovereignty.'”
The letter said the prime minister’s stance was “both misleading and offensive” and the tribunal’s report said the treaty signatories retained “complete authority over their people and their territory”.
“We reject your assertion that the Crown is sovereign, absolute and categorical.”
Speaking to RNZ, Ngāti Hine leader Pita Tipene said the then Indian government made similar comments in 2014 following the release of the tribunal’s report.
“Shortly afterwards, then-Justice Minister Chris Finalyson made a public statement saying: ‘That may be so, but the government I am part of is still sovereign.'”
“This is not surprising. The Prime Minister, Cabinet and other members of Parliament visit Waitangi and there are many speeches from them to the public about honouring te Tiriti o Waitangi.
“This is really not honorable at all. It is deception.”
Pita-Tipene.
Photo: Northern Advocate / delivered
The Waitangi Tribunal held an urgent inquiry into the government’s proposed changes to traditional maritime law. It is the seventh urgent inquiry since the coalition came to power in October.
Tipene said there were efforts by politicians to undermine the tribunal.
“No government will voluntarily give up any power or authority – at least not voluntarily.
“When our Rangatira Te Tiriti o Waitangi and He Wahkaputanga signed, they signed jointly with the Queen at that time. So that is the current status of the partnership.”
Tipene said the government was a “settler government” that came to power after the signing of the treaty, and that supreme power rested with the king and his representative, the governor-general.
“(The Governor General) has the power – albeit through the Prime Minister – to dissolve Parliament. We will take all necessary measures to ensure that there is a balance in terms of the agreements signed by our forefathers.”
Luxon is currently in Tonga. RNZ is asking him for a response.
