ACT leader David Seymour is set for a robust conversation with iwi leaders ahead of his reception at Waitangi early next week, 1News deputy political editor Maiki Sherman says.
Both Seymour and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon are meeting with the Iwi Chairs Forum in Kerikeri today ahead of the Government's arrival to Waitangi on Monday. Seymour's Treaty Principles Bill would mean he could expect to be put under some pressure from the Māori leaders.
"The Treaty Grounds organisers say they are expecting around 30,000 people over the course of the Waitangi celebrations," Sherman told Breakfast from Waitangi this morning.
"That's an extra 10,000 more than is usual.
"You can kind of grasp, from the Māori King's hui at Tuurangawaewae, where we saw that massive 10,000 people crowd... they will be wanting to make their way up here as well."
Sherman said National had previously had a strong relationship with the forum and Luxon had been working hard to build his relationships with iwi, even before he became Prime Minister.
However, the message he would be delivered today will be: "Do not touch the Treaty of Waitangi."
Sherman said she was expecting "some fiery debate" between Seymour and the Forum.
"I certainly think that he will get a verbal dressing down from iwi leaders," she said.
"We will see that publicly at the pōwhiri on Monday for the Government, but today's hui is behind closed doors.
"It will be respectful, don't get me wrong, but it will be a very candid conversation."
She said the issue of Te Tiriti o Waitangi "runs to the core of the Māori people".
"[Tension] will simmer down a little bit just with the mere fact of engagement," Sherman predicted. "Having David Seymour come today and then on Monday will be important in order to have that open dialogue between the Government and Māori."
'We have no choice but to fight'
A statement from the National Iwi Chairs Forum this morning said the group would "fight" the Government's "sustained attack on Māori".
"We have no choice but to fight," Ngāti Korokī Kahukura chairperson Rahui Papa said.
"The attacks by this Government is on a range of fronts affecting Māori. From unilaterally redefining Te Tiriti o Waitangi through to belittling te reo Māori to removing protections for our mokopuna in Oranga Tamariki through to the dismantling of the Māori Health Authority which was based on detailed research and determinations of the Waitangi Tribunal — which is also under attack.
"We will fight for as long as it takes to stop this Government from thinking that it is okay to attack Māori – their Tiriti partner."
The forum made the unanimous decision to "fight what they see as the Government's continued sustained attack on Māori".
The group would be considering options including legal action, complaints to the Human Rights Commission, appeals to the United Nations and targeted protest.
"There are clear areas that we are not going to work with the Government on because they have locked down their position and will inevitably double down," Ngāti Mutunga chairperson Jamie Tuuta said.
"But there are also a number of issues that we will work with the Government."
That included social and economic development, housing, and the review into Kāinga Ora.
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