Post by Kiwi Frontline on Jan 9, 2017 16:41:17 GMT 12
PRIME MINISTER BILL ENGLISH WON'T ATTEND WAITANGI EVENTS AT TE TII MARAE
Prime Minister Bill English will not attend Waitangi events at Te Tii Marae - saying it wasn't acceptable to him that he could attend but not speak.
English will not attend the annual powhiri, and will celebrate Waitangi Day in Auckland.
"After the issues surrounding the previous Prime Minister's attendance at Te Tii Marae last year, my office sought clarification from marae kaumatua that I would be welcomed and able speak about issues of importance to New Zealand, as is tradition.
"However, my office was advised I could attend the powhiri but not speak - conditions which are not acceptable to me.
English said he had accepted an invitation from the 60 iwi who comprise the Iwi Chair's Forum to lead a delegation of ministers to Waitangi on February 3.....
www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11778914
Prime Minister Bill English will not attend Waitangi events at Te Tii Marae - saying it wasn't acceptable to him that he could attend but not speak.
English will not attend the annual powhiri, and will celebrate Waitangi Day in Auckland.
"After the issues surrounding the previous Prime Minister's attendance at Te Tii Marae last year, my office sought clarification from marae kaumatua that I would be welcomed and able speak about issues of importance to New Zealand, as is tradition.
"However, my office was advised I could attend the powhiri but not speak - conditions which are not acceptable to me.
English said he had accepted an invitation from the 60 iwi who comprise the Iwi Chair's Forum to lead a delegation of ministers to Waitangi on February 3.....
www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11778914