The morning of the national day celebration at Waitangi, New Zealand, has been one filled with disgruntled attendees and clashing leaders. Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters was booed and jeered offstage while Māori lawyer Annette Sykes critized ACT Party Leader David Seymour.
Security had to intervene as a protester approached Seymour, and many within the crowd were singing to try and drown him out. Seymour pushed back against the crowd saying, “These debates are about our identity.” Hone Harawira also criticized Seymour, saying they would fight attempts to gain control of areas of land or sea.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, however, fared better. He commended New Zealand for its efforts to right historic wrongs. He called it “the best country on earth” and said that the country would focus on improving the economy over the next three years. He stressed the need to improve education, healthcare, and infrastructure while meeting the country’s commitments on climate.
Following the Prime Minister, Waitangi Trust CEO Ben Dalton suggested there is a long way to go before anyone is truly on the same page, although he expressed thanks for the government’s participation in the event and that the welcome had proceeded without violence.