A Tainui leader says the relationship between Māori and the Crown is becoming increasingly fractured as he holds out hope the upcoming election will deliver a different style of Government.

The Māori Queen, Te Arikinui Ngā wai hono i te po, arrived at the annual Rātana celebrations this morning, surrounded by a delegation numbering in the hundreds.

She was accompanied by paramount chief Te Rangimaheu Te Heuheu Tūkino IX, the son and successor of the late Ariki Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Tā Tumu Te Heuheu Tūkino VIII.

Speakers during the pōwhiri expressed aroha and compassion for the communities across the North Island that had been affected by the week’s destructive weather.

Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po launched the new Kotahitanga Fund on Saturday.

Speeches were also focused on the general election on November 7, and how Māori could make the most of their voting power and their advocacy for important key issues.

The temperature of the Māori-Government relationship will be on display this afternoon when politicians, including senior National ministers Nicola Willis (Finance) and Tama Potaka (Māori Development), attend a pōwhiri at 3pm.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is unable to attend because he is visiting flood-affected communities on the East Coast.

Waikato-Tainui leader Tuku Morgan said the relationship between Māori and the Government was “pretty fractured” and there was an increasing “sense of urgency” to address it.

“People are much more wise about political strategy. We are all skilful about seeing what is rhetoric and what is real [from the Government].

“All we want is a fair shake, we want the ability to do what we think is appropriate for our people.”

Morgan said the coalition Government had made many Māori feel “pushed into a corner” by government changes to policies and legislation affecting Māori. Parts of Māoridom that consider the Government and its policies to be anti-Māori have taken part in protest and voiced strong criticism. This is a charge the Government has consistently rejected.

Speaking at Rātana last year, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon referred to Rātana founder T.W. Rātana’s interest in improving the lives of Māori, saying, “As a Government, that’s what we’re interested in.”

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon during his speech at Rātana in 2024. Photo / Mark Mitchell

“We are interested in outcomes that improve outcomes for Māori but also for non-Māori and all New Zealanders. It’s ultimately about all of our children, all of our grandchildren and the future they can have here in this great country of ours.”

Morgan said Māori communities had been “marginalised and minimised (with) all of the pieces of the legislation that have been demolished by this Government”.

“It makes us much more united in our view to find innovative ways so that we can survive in the long term.”

Morgan said this inspired the Māori Queen’s new business investment fund for Māori businesses. The multimillion-dollar “Kotahitanga Fund” would go toward funding Māori entrepreneurs and strengthening regional development and global partnerships, the Kiingitanga said at the time of its launch.

“The beauty about this Government is, as tough as they are, it has enabled us to rally together to find creative ways with our own investment fund.”

Thousands of people are expected to travel to the small Rātana settlement near Whanganui for the Rātana celebrations, which mark the birthday of the spiritual movement’s founder. The event is widely considered to be one of the first events of the political year.

Julia Gabel is a Wellington-based political reporter. She joined the Herald in 2020 and has most recently focused on data journalism.