More angry demonstrations mar Waitangi events

Email
Print

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 6:01p.m.

John Key was forced to leave early due to Waitangi protests

John Key was forced to leave early due to Waitangi protests

Protestors stormed the Te Tii Marae as Prime Minister John Key was welcomed on, and their abuse eventually forced the Government party to leave - before Mr Key even had a chance to speak.

Read about the protests

See footage of the protests

See one protester get tackled approaching the Prime Minister

Tension had been predicted for this year’s Waitangi Day events  when the Government suggested removing a treaty clause from the state owned enterprises act earlier this week,

but what unfolded at Te Tii marae this morning surprised even the most seasoned Waitangi attendees.

Click ‘view video’ to see the story

3 News

Become a fan of 3 News on Facebook and on Twitter.

Post a Comment

Before commenting, please take the time to read our moderation guide


(Won't be published)



Comments

07 Feb 2012 10:42p.m.

Stef wrote:

kiwis are leaving here to go to oz because of a better life...and I do mean more money...so get over yourself with blaming Maori...

06 Feb 2012 11:48p.m.

Maria wrote:

Tena koutou Aotearoa, i think without the country knowing it these protesters are not only speaking for them selves indirectly they speak for the people of Aotearoa and the land itself weather you like it or not it will benifit all who live in our beautiful country for the government to stop and listen Aotearoa not for sale! stop drilling! and the many other reasons why the rest of our country men should stand up for these things to happen and not except any thing less our country is worth it we are worth it...keep it green

05 Feb 2012 11:54p.m.

Kiwijack wrote:

The people who are leaving NZ for Australia are leaving not due to the Christchurch earthquake but becaus eof the maori issue that will go on and on. Most people are sick to the stomach of maori wanting this, that and the other, and their constant bleating about what their white grandfather took from their brown one. What's really bad about NZ is that there is no real debate where to opposing sides debate the issues on TV;instead they have a panel of maori and pro maori pretending they represent the public viewpoint, which is simply propaganda and a lie. We need real debate about the treaty with all involved not only maori radicals who only want to benefit for purely selfish reasons. The maori in the street gets nothing and never will from treaty handouts but is encouraged by radicals and maori party to get angry with their white oppressors. It's all wrong and we need real debate period!!!

05 Feb 2012 10:07p.m.

kelvyn wrote:

Hey !! Guess what. Waitangi day celebrations don't begin and end at Waitangi. There are people all around NZ who want to celebrate a NZ National day without these w*nkers who turn up every year at the treaty grounds. How about some leadership. Shut these people down next year so we can have a National Day without this sideshow and circus of losers and malcontents.

05 Feb 2012 09:01p.m.

Adam Baker wrote:

My real concern was that the clearly extremely fragile lady next to Key -- was it the Maori Queen? -- would be hurt if the protesters charged through the corden of police and wardens. Had she been bowled over, I'm quite certain that at her age and in her physical condition she would have been seriously injured. I can't believe these people were prepared to make a move like that when she was there. That was shameful and appalling. Quite disgusting.

05 Feb 2012 08:27p.m.

John C wrote:

Robert W's comment is correct but shouldn't be necessary. Being in Ch Ch, I wonder often if we are still one country; the beneficaries of 'Waitangi benefits' down here are the Ngai Tahu people who are well respected for their business nous, and have very good relations with the rest of us - a far cry from what happened at Waitangi today. It's sad that our country is so divided in so many respects.

05 Feb 2012 08:16p.m.

tom wrote:

Are these few maori speaking for all maori , including this maori council, and who are they anyway. Why is it they have the power to dictate to the whole country. If the maori council gets it way then maori had better come up with another way to help government get rid of our massive deficit, They won't of course, they wouln't have a clue what to do.

05 Feb 2012 08:12p.m.

Erm... wrote:

So can we PLEASE stop 'celebrating' this farce? It's a divisive day, it does noone any good. Change it to New Zealand Day and stop any reference to Waitangi. If all of maoridom wants to set light to itself next Februay 6th then good luck to them.

05 Feb 2012 07:03p.m.

Robert W wrote:

Why does this bulldust have to happen every Waitangi Day, where our elected PM has to be subjected to this crap. This is nonsense, hire a crowd crap, no respect for the elected leaders of our land. Next year it will be the same and the years following.Our politicians should make their own protest and show it by not attending. Once the so called protesters get aggressive, they should all be arrested and charged with threatening behaviour towards the Prime Minister. Godbless New Zealand.