Day off for the PM!
The Herald reports:
Prime Minister John Key will be blocked from going on Te Tii Marae.
Marae elder Kingi Taurua has confirmed the final decision was made not to invite Mr Key onto the marae at a hui today.
“They put it to the vote and the vote decided it, not to allow him on.”
Excellent. PM gets a day off.
As the marae has decided they no longer want the Government to attend, I presume they no longer want money from the Government for any activities at the marae!
UPDATE: Radio NZ is reporting that he has been invited on. But possibly not allowed to speak. I guess all will become clear in time! It may be that Ngapuhi have voted one way, but the marae the other.
If I was the PM, I’d not turn up. He has said he’ll attend whenever invited, but they appear to have voted that they don’t want him there. There are thousands of others places in NZ that do welcome him, and welcome the opportunity to debate issues with him.
UPDATE2: TVNZ reports:
Ngapuhi representatives spent the day locked in talks at Waitangi.
A vote was held this afternoon on whether Mr Key should be blocked. The result was an overwhelming 38-14 in favour of stopping him from coming on to the marae.
But Te Tii elder Emma Gibbs then told ONE News those from the marae had overruled the decision and he would be welcomed on – but wouldn’t have speaking rights.
Ngapuhi elder Kingi Taurua reacted angrily to that claim and said in fact Mr Key would be blocked.
Ms Gibbs says as locals, they will continue to welcome anyone on to the marae, even if others disagree.
Again, there are many other places you can go.