Titewhai told 'shut your bloody mouth' over welcoming dispute

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Titewhai told 'shut your bloody mouth' after dispute

3News NZ

Titewhai Harawira escorted philanthropist Sir Owen Glenn onto the marae just before 9am this morning (Photo: Kim Choe / 3 News)

Titewhai Harawira escorted philanthropist Sir Owen Glenn onto the marae just before 9am this morning (Photo: Kim Choe / 3 News)

By Kim Choe with 3 News online staff

Prime Minister John Key has been welcomed onto Te Tii Marae at Waitangi.

And while it was all quiet on the protest front, as expected his arrival wasn't without some controversy.

There was a standoff at the gates to the marae this morning between the family of Titewhai Harawira and Ani Taurua – as neither wanted to welcome Mr Key together.

Ngapuhi leader Kingi Taurua told the pair they must share the role.

"They will compromise, they will both take the Prime Minister on," he said.

But Ms Harawira initially refused.

To this, Mr Taurua responded: “Shut your bloody mouth”.

Mr Key was eventually escorted onto the marae by a large group of women, flanked by Ms Harawira – who was holding his hand – and Ms Taurua.

As the Prime Minister arrived, a couple of lone protestors yelled: “You don’t own it and you can’t sell it”.

In his speech in the marae Mr Key said: "I'll keep coming but it's up to you to decide how this day goes."

Shearer welcomed without incident

Labour leader David Shearer arrived after lunch escorted onto the marae by Ms Harawira alone. He was joined by MPs from Labour and the Green Party.

Ngapuhi trustees had earlier said Ms Harawira should relinquish her role of escorting Mr Key and the other officials onto the marae in favour of another elder, Mr Taurua.

Yesterday Ms Harawira welcomed Governor General Sir Jerry Mateparae on to the marae, but they were interrupted by Ms Harawira’s son Aata, who had a brief scuffle with the welcoming party.

Mr Key hoped today would be trouble-free and a time of celebration.

"I think the local kaumatua are doing their best to try and make sure there's an opportunity for us to engage and say a few words,” he told NZ Newswire.

"I hope that's the case. In the end Waitangi should be a place for celebration."

But Mana Party leader Hone Harawira says he believes Mr Key will face protest from some Ngapuhi Iwi members, and he hasn't quashed speculation he may protest himself.

“This is the place where those things get raised,” he said yesterday.

“A local trustee has the right to raise them. And as the local MP, so do I.”

3 News

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Comments

8/02/2013 8:15:22 p.m.

party animal wrote:

the auzzies have it sussed, Aussy day is one big party.... not protest day

6/02/2013 12:00:25 a.m.

Ana Heke wrote:

As a New Zealand maori I cringe every time this date rolls around. The treaty was/is a dodgy document. It should NEVER have been agreed upon & signed. There is such a negative undertone that I affiliate with the treaty and it deeply upsets me.

5/02/2013 8:38:04 p.m.

Jim Seaview wrote:

The impression I get from this report is that it is good to see Titewhai Harawira becoming the natural leader of the Ngapuhi people as she makes the rules and sticks to them while the rest just argue aimlessly amongst themselves.

5/02/2013 7:56:38 p.m.

Tom Kat wrote:

Gee, does nobody love this woman? Not only do her loved ones not bother to let her know she's making a fool of herself, they didn't bother to tell her not to mix pastels and brights when choosing an outfit for public viewing...

5/02/2013 6:45:33 p.m.

bruce wrote:

Waitangi Day only serves to highlight that we've allowed ourselves to become a divided nation. We have nothing to unite us as one. Not even a flag. This country is a modern blended multi cultural society yet the entire focus is on government-Maori bi lateral Treaty grievances that the rest of us don't care about. Waitangi Day is mired in a past that eveyone else moved on from years ago. Now it is a day not worth celebrating given the backdrop. The only way not to get depressed is impose a media black out from 6pm February 5th and 7pm February 8th. For me, I'll work it and celebrate all things Kiwi on September 23rd.

5/02/2013 2:44:32 p.m.

trisha wrote:

it's really a shame, and it's true, when you get old and grey..maybe you do revert back to uncustom outbreaks of childish behaviour

5/02/2013 2:10:01 p.m.

Boyd wrote:

I agree with the lone protestors. It isn't Key's so he can't sell it. Too bad Taurua didn't say the same thing to Key. It is what we're all thinking after all.

5/02/2013 2:05:28 p.m.

BAZRAZ wrote:

This is just political grandstanding. They have no right to use this day as a platform to protest. This should be about two peoples living as one in this country, however, they, the Maori activist use it to grandstand. As far as I am concerned this is just another free paid day off work and holds no feeling of Nation / National pride.

5/02/2013 1:30:40 p.m.

Ruth wrote:

This is absolutely shameful for this unpleasant old woman to throw her weight around as if she is the Maori Queen it is totally unacceptable. She has no authority whatsoever and should show some respect for her peers and those at the marae who have worked so hard. Really she should have been banned she is just a sad embarrassment.

5/02/2013 1:16:49 p.m.

Juliana wrote:

Mr Taurua lost mana for speaking to a kuia (Mrs Harawira)as he is reported as doing. Mana is about respect for the person, their standing, and demeaning others is no part of it.