Act leader David Seymour spoke today outside St Stephen’s School - a charter school in Bombay in the Auckland region.
When asked about his microphone being removed during his speech at Waitangi Treaty Grounds yesterday, Seymour said he was always careful not to blame a group for the actions of one person.
“The person who did that is responsible for their actions,” he said.
“Everybody else was trying to listen and [my speech] went up on YouTube anyway and was seen by far more people than that guy.”
When asked about the latest on the Treaty Principles Bill, the Act leader said that by looking to Parliament to discuss the Treaty, people were buying into the idea, whether they were for or against the bill.
“That Parliament is the right place to have this debate. We are not a partnership between two backgrounds, we are all Kiwis equal,” he said.
“That process is very positive.”
Seymour said the charter school policy gave St Stephen’s School/Tipene a new life.
“School is something people aren’t going to but here you have got a group of people passionate about their school and that is what charter schools allow,” he said.
The Epsom MP told the waiting press pack he wasn't trying to politicise his relationship.
“But I’m very lucky to be in love with a smart businesswoman with a big heart.”
Seymour said his fiance occasionally brings up his promise to give up politics if he found the right person.
“Sorry to my political opponents, I’m sticking around.”
Act MP and Children’s Minister Karen Chour said her great great great grandfather was the headmaster when the school first opened in 1947.
“I’m really proud to be standing here and setting the example he set back in the day.”
Seymour said the hate crime laws New Zealand currently had were “perfectly adequate”.
“I would be looking pretty carefully at any idea that introduces subjective laws,” he said.
“The problem with hate is that it is hard to define hate and the people who charge hate can end up being bigger bullies than the people they are supposed to be stopping.”
Te Pati Māori MPs, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi,Labour deputy leader Carmel Sepuloniand Auckland councillor Kerrin Leoni addressed the boisterous crowds.
Sepuloni said the country was at a crossroad’s and New Zealand had to stand together.
The last two political polls have Labour ahead of National.
Leoni said Auckland Māori also had an opportunity at the local body elections to make their voices heard.
The mood was cruisy as the crowds enjoyed the sunshine and music.
The day started at 9am with visitors invited to a powhiri at Hoani Waititi Marae.
Event organisers said there had been no major incidents, though traffic around Parrs Park was busy
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon heaped praise on the speech of Ngai Tahu Kaiwhakahaere Justin Tipa at Onuku Marae near Akaroa today.
“We’ve got massive alignment around our values and I think the way we want to work going forward,” said Luxon.
Asked if he disagreed with anything Tipa said in his speech, Luxon couldn’t fault it.
“There was a lot in Justin Tipa’s speech that I fully agree with. I thought the principles of what he talked about I could fully identify with,” said Luxon.
Asked about Dame Naida Glavish’s “disappointment” that Ngai Tahu was hosting the Prime Minister, Luxon said he’s been to Waitangi the past two years and his absence this year is not without precedence.
“Former Prime Ministers, whether it’s been Helen Clark, John Key, others – Bill English, hasn’t come to Waitangi each and every year and I’ve only been in politics for four years but I came into it with a view having been very impressed by the fact, watching Bill English go to another iwi and giving Waitangi Day a different dimension and perspective,” said Luxon.
“It doesn’t preclude me from going to Waitangi – I hope to be back there,” said Luxon.
Ngai Tahu Kaiwhakahaere Justin Tipa defended the attendance of the Prime Minister.
He said that the iwi had invited the Prime Minister and the Governor General – as they do most years. He was honoured that they accepted.
As for a message to ACT leader David Seymour in regards to the Treaty Principles Bill?
“I’ve got nothing to say to Seymour,” said Tipa.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s speech has been interrupted by pro-Palestine protestors.
John Minto is ignoring pleas by Ngāi Tahu to put his megaphone down while the PM speaks.
During his speech Luxon reaffirmed that National would not support the Act Party's Treaty Principles Bill.
"National will not support the bill and it will not become law,” Luxon told the crowd.
The statement drew cheers from the crowd.
As rain begins to fall, Luxon's speech concludes with a rendition of Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi.