Jacinda Ardern has spoken out over Ihumātao as she continues to come under fire over her handling of the divisive issue.
The Prime Minister is visiting Tūrangawaewae Marae in Ngāruawāhia on Tuesday for the annual Kiingitanga Koroneihana celebrations.
King Tuheitia has offered to act as an intermediary in the land dispute between Ihumātao’s iwi authority, which supports a proposed development, and activists who oppose it.
“On issues like Ihumatoe, the difficult issues, the hard issues, we will be there, we are there in those conversations,” Ardern said.
“I speak directly to myself here. I’ve learned that sometimes, leadership means recognising when you need to create space for others. To let grievance be heard. To hear different ideas. To where these different ideas may compete. But to allow the space of others to find by Māori for Māori. I will be there for those hard conversations. I am there. But I’ll also recognise when the seat at the head of the table isn’t necessarily me.
“Those conversations I know will continue. I know we will continue to have leadership by Kiingitanga as we have always had and you can guarantee that we will work there alongside, that we will bind together, that we will hold fast, that we will hold firm.”
The Prime Minister came under fire at Tūrangawaewae by Kiwi leader Che Wilson, who compared her handling of Māori issues with her handling of the Christchurch terrorist attack.
SOURCE: NEWSHUB
