Dr Rawiri Taonui | Happy White Waitangi Day 02 Feb 2021 09:09 AM Photo: Supplied.
Precautionary Approach
Last week the Iwi leaders Chairs Forum Pandemic Response Group and the Te Kahu o Taonui collective of northern tribes recommended that Māori cancel planned events for Treaty of Waitangi week this year because of the Northland case (25 Jan) and two Auckland cases (27 Jan) carrying the new Covid-19 B1351 South African strain.
The Kingitanga, the Māori Party and other Māori organisations have also withdrawn from Waitangi. In Auckland, Ngāti Whātua has cancelled their event at Ōrākei. The Waitangi Festival ki Manukau is also canned.