Ngāpuhi Chair Rejects Meeting After Te Pāti Māori Haka

Ngāpuhi’s chairman has canceled a proposed meeting with Te Pāti Māori, citing a haka performed during a Waitangi pōwhiri as the “last straw.” The haka, which was meant to support party co-leader Rawiri Waititi’s speech extending an olive branch to former ally Eru Kapa-Kingi, has been criticized by Ngāti Hine’s leader as tarnishing the moment. Waititi’s wife, Kiri Tamihere-Waititi, performed the haka directly in front of Kapa-Kingi, intensifying the internal conflict within the party.

Want More Context? 🔎