Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will not attend Waitangi Treaty Grounds events on Waitangi Day next year.

The Prime Minister on Thursday afternoon released a statement saying that while the Government would have “senior representatives” in attendance at events around the country, including at the treaty grounds, he would be “elsewhere”.

Details of where the Prime Minister will spend the national day will be released closer to the time.

“It has always been my intention to celebrate Waitangi Day around the country with different iwi,” said Luxon.

“I have been in Waitangi the last two years, including in my first year as Prime Minister, so next year I have decided to head to another part of the country.

“Waitangi Day is of national importance, and I am keen to join New Zealanders celebrating it in other regions.

“I have spoken to Waitangi National Trust chair Pita Tipene and wished them all the best for their event in Waitangi.”

He will also not attend the National Iwi Chairs Forum in Waitangi on February 4. He met iwi leaders in Wellington on Thursday.

“It was a very positive and productive discussion. There are a number of areas where the Government and Māori are already working together, for example in health, housing, infrastructure and climate adaptation,” Luxon said.

“There is a lot of great work being done by iwi throughout the country and there are many opportunities for us to work together and do so much more.”

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, flanked by ACT leader David Seymour (left) and New Zealand First leader Winston Peters (right), being welcomed onto the Treaty Grounds at Waitangi in 2024. Photo / Getty Images

Waitangi National Trust chair Pita Tipene said Luxon’s decision was disappointing, and there was “no other place for the Prime Minister to be” on Waitangi Day.

He said Luxon had contacted him today to advise him of the decision.

“I’m very disappointed. I do understand other iwi have invited him, he will still send senior Cabinet ministers to Waitangi to be part of the commemorations but, yeah, we as a board and the Waitangi National Trust are always looking to the kāwanatanga [government] to front up.”

He said there had been some calls for the Government not to be invited to Waitangi, given the controversy over its measures impacting on Māori, such as the Treaty Principles Bill.

“But still it’s disappointing the Prime Minister won’t be there because he is the lead for the kawanatanga and it needs to be led.”

He said Te Whare Rūnanga was built to allow for ongoing conversations about Te Tiriti on the Treaty grounds.

“We as the Waitangi National Trust want to ensure that, whatever happens, the ongoing conversation continues to be held on the day that it was signed. There is no other place for the Prime Minister to be than in front of Te Whare Rūnanga on the 6th of February, where Te Tiriti was signed.”

Earlier this week, Tipene had urged the PM to continue to mark the day at Waitangi after Luxon revealed he was considering visiting other places. Luxon had said security was not one of the reasons for his decision-making and Tipene said the organisers worked hard to ensure it was safe.

“We uphold our manaakitanga [hospitality] at Waitangi and all manuhiri or visitors are welcome. And we’ll do our darnedest to accommodate people and make sure they’re safe through some demanding times.”

Waitangi National Trust chair Pita Tipene. Photo / Susan Botting

On Monday, Luxon wouldn’t say whether he would attend the Waitangi Day commemoration in the Northland town next year, saying he had received a number of invitations from different iwi.

He noted that former National Prime Minister Sir Bill English had visited Ngāti Whātua insetad, which was a “really good example”. Other Prime Ministers, including Helen Clark and Sir John Key, also decided to stay away from Waitangi and Te Tii marae on occasion.

The Government has faced significant backlash against some of its policies affecting Māori, including the decision to allow Act’s Treaty Principles Bill to have a first reading. National and New Zealand First plan to oppose it at the second reading. Tens of thousands of people marched on Parliament last month in opposition to those policies.

Act’s David Seymour has previously confirmed he would attend Waitangi. He’s been contacted for further comment, as has New Zealand First leader Winston Peters.

Labour’s Chris Hipkins believed the Prime Minister should front up if the Government was going to do something “controversial”.

“It’s more important than ever that you show up and talk about it,” he said.

His colleague, Willie Jackson, said that he had heard that there were concerns about MPs' safety, but Luxon on Monday said security wasn’t an issue.

“Māori are angry, Māori are furious, and we saw that with the hīkoi, but at least it was a very peaceful hīkoi but if I was part of the Government I’d be worried going up there too,” Jackson said.

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi said if Luxon didn’t turn up, it would show “he’s got no balls and may be a drop-nuts in terms of facing the people”.

More to come