Leaders from the country's largest iwi Ngāpuhi have walked out of the National Iwi Chairs Forum where the Prime Minister is set to speak.
Te Rūnanga o Ngāpuhi Chairman Mane Tahere said the walkout was a protest against Government policies it did not agree with.
"Our walkout today was on the government, not the Iwi Chairs' Forum, there is still much work for us to continue," he said.
"But we cannot and will not sit in this room in silence while this government continues to run roughshod over our people."
In a statement, the rūnanga said Tahere stood and cited ongoing grievances with the government, including the rollback of Te Aka Whai Ora and Māori wards, the overturning of the seabed foreshore court judgement (MACA) and the removal of section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act and the forthcoming Treaty Principles Bill at the meeting.
"Ngāpuhi and other iwi’s growing frustration and dissatisfaction with the way this government continues to treat Māori.
Ngāpuhi strongly supported a resolution passed at the Forum yesterday to exclude the Government from future meetings until further notice."
Ngāpuhi plans to continue their stance with a rally back home in Kaikohe tomorrow against the repeal of Section 7AA, followed by a rally at Parliament at midday on Monday prior to an oral submission to the 7AA select committee.
Prime Minister responds
A spokesperson for Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has released a statement following the forum.
"Today was a positive, robust and honest dialogue with the National Iwi Chairs Forum. The Prime Minister continues to welcome constructive dialogue with Iwi leaders and recognises the significant and positive contribution that Iwi are making to our country," the statement reads.
"The Iwi Chairs Forum is a valuable opportunity for Iwi leaders and the government to listen, be heard and share their solutions for improving social, economic, cultural and environmental outcomes for Iwi and Māori together. It is one of many ways that the Government continues to engage with Iwi, which also includes one-on-one engagements.
"The Government is focused on turning around years of decline in Māori outcomes, particularly in health, education, employment and housing, overseen by the previous government. We believe there are rich opportunities for the government to partner with, and devolve to, iwi to improve those outcomes.
"The Prime Minister looks forward to continuing the dialogue and exploring further opportunities to achieve the shared aspiration of improving the daily lives of Māori across the country."
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