Agreements signed by the National Coalition parties, the Australian Capital Territory, and New Zealand first agreed to dismantle a national health agency for Māori, discourage learning of the Māori language, and rethink the effect of the treaty in law.
Tokororangi “Toko” Morgan, chairman of Te Aratura, the Waikato Tainui executive council, said the voter turnout was a great success.
“It's a victory for Kingitanga,” he said, referring to the movement that united Maori under one sovereignty.
He said the day, which was structured around a number of breakout sessions, was full of discussions and dialogue to shape a collective effort to chart a better future for Māori. “There will be some decisions and there is no doubt that there will be a plan of action that will be made between now and then. And then you have to wait.”
Organizers said more than 10,000 people attended, and they were expecting up to 7,000. credit: Things
In the end, Putaka said it was a “great day” for Maori. When the minister told that many in attendance felt threatened by the coalition government, he said there was work to be done, but the government would “mercilessly” provide its services to indigenous people.
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At the conclusion of the event, the King said that today's messages were heard around the world.
“This is only the first day, our time is now, Kotahitanga [togetherness] It is the way. [To] To those who want to divide us I say this, we are all the Maori elite.
“We are the Maori elite, elite because of our whakapapa and our mana [genealogy and influence]”.
He said the treaty was not open to reinterpretation.
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“Don't look to the courts to understand the treaty, look to the pastures [gathering],” He said.
“The best practice we can do now is to be Māori. Māori all day every day, we are here, we are strong. Hold on, believe in you, believe in us.”
The Prime Minister met the Maori King earlier this week and said he supported the meeting.
