2010’s Waitangi Day passed in peaceful fashion, with some surprising symbolism. The tino rangatiratanga flag, representing Maori aspirations for self-governance, was officially flown outside Parliament. Prime Minister John Key went on to Waitangi marae arm-in-arm with perennial Waitangi powerhouse Titewhai Harawira, both of them politely ignoring the series of fierce battles that keep erupting between Key’s government and Titewhai’s most prominent son Hone.
All this suggests to me something of a Nixon-to-China effect. There’s been significant grumbling from National’s base even though the decisions are coming from their leadership, and I can only imagine the response if a left-leaning Labour government had taken these steps*. It may be that this National government, whatever else it does, might deliver a significant step forward in NZ race relations. Two steps, even.
* Of course, relations between Labour and Maoridom were in tatters by the end of Labour’s run, so Auntie Helen wouldn’t have been able to do this anyway.
National has made huge ground from its agreement with the Maori Party. It gains legitimacy, credibility and mana from working with them and maintaining a solid relationship. I think it works in their favour to hit back hard against Hone Harawira; as long as the relationship overall remains strong, a bit of a stoush is entirely appropriate. It’s a continual big win for the Nats.
Not so sure about the Maori Party. It seems to me they’re playing a long game, looking to establish themselves as a political presence and build good relationships into the major political parties. But Harawira’s regular outbursts are emblematic of what they’re not doing, which is spending any political capital against some of National’s more egregious policy moves. Balancing long-term political viability against the well-being of their constituency is a tricky road, and I don’t envy the decisions they must be forced into making in caucus.
Anyway, aside from all that, it’s nice to see a Waitangi Day that is chilled out. Perhaps no coincidence that it fell on a weekend this year – why would anyone want to spoil a perfectly nice sunny Saturday with all that politics?