Ardern, Collins and Davidson sat alongside each other during the ceremony - a scene which was recognised by NgÄpuhi elder Hone Sadler who suggested women could be the key to getting things done in politics. Perhaps you are the sacred trio, Sadler said in his address, despite Collins not being allowed to speak on the paepae, with her deputy leader Shane Reti - who is MÄori - filling in for her and speaking out against the decision.Â
Dr Reti said National was saddened by Collins not being allowed to speak, and urged NgÄpuhi representatives to not forget the power of women and that their influence should be given great consideration .Â
Matariki, the MÄori New Year - is our first MÄori-specific public holiday. The date will change each year, determined by the lunar calendar. It will, as many people have pointed out, break up the year at a time when it can feel a little long, Ardern told reporters at Waitangi.Â
It s also a classic vote winner announced on the election campaign. The real issues for MÄori are imprisonment, housing, unemployment, incomes and education, said ACT leader David Seymour. Having an extra day off doesn t help when your unemployment s going up.
Collins didn t have the chance to talk up National on the paepae. She had to cede to her male deputy, who used his speech to have a crack, saying National was disappointed Collins couldn t speak because she s a woman.Â
After years of controversy, speaking rights for women political leaders on marae may change at Waitangi next year.
Jacinda Ardern delivering a speech from the mahau, something that no other female political party leader was able to do this year.
Photo: RNZ / Jogai Bhatt
Allowance for Jacinda Ardern to deliver a speech from the mahau, or porch, was made for her first appearance at Waitangi as prime minister in 2018.
But other women leaders were not given the same treatment this year - National Part leader Judith Collins, along with Greens co-leader Marama Davidson, were given the opportunity to speak from the mahau, but effectively after the formalities were over.