National leader Christopher Luxon has addressed the controversial topic of co-governance, saying Labour had confused the term, after he was challenged to not be afraid of it at Rātana Pā.

Luxon said he was enjoying his first visit to Rātana, the Māori religious festival, a place you could “disagree without being disagreeable.”

Speaking to media, he said he had raised his views on co-governance in his speech at Rātana because the Government had been “messy” in its own approach to co-governance.

He said he had wanted to be clear that National did not agree with co-governance in public services, but did want Māori to achieve and get ahead. He did not believe co-governance in public services was the way to do that.

He said departing Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had not been able to articulate what was meant by co-governance or how far it would go.

He denied that his own party had whipped up fear on co-governance, saying Ardern had not been willing to spend any of her political capital on explaining it “and as a result people have been left behind and now we have fear and division.”

He said the issues facing Maori in their everyday lives were the same as for others - from cost of living to health.

New Zealanders were proud of the Treaty settlement process, Luxon said, and co-governance in that respect had worked, but the recent moves on co-governance had been “messy” and confused people.

On Three Waters, Luxon said it was not too late to repeal the programme because the entities did not come into being until next year.

“It is deeply unpopular and what you have is a government that has not listened at all. But Chris Hipkins has been part of the holy trinity ... for the last five years.”

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He said it was not believable or credible for Hipkins to now say he wanted to change direction and focus on the economy.

Earlier, Luxon started off his speech in Te Reo Māori, acknowledging mana whenua and the Rātana mōrehu and said his reo was a “work in progress”, he said.

He said it was a “genuine privilege” to be there and he was proud of achievements previous National governments had achieved with Māori.

He acknowledged the last “poor election result” and not having the diversity of a caucus they should have.

National would demonstrate “kindness and care” by being great stewards of the economy, Luxon said.

The party was also focused on equality of opportunity and social investment.

Despite Rātana being known for not focusing on the politics, Luxon strongly criticised the Labour Government in his speech, restating how he believed Labour was spending too much money and hiring too many bureaucrats.

He believed the Government hadn’t been upfront with New Zealanders, prompting distrust in communities.

Referencing co-governance, which he has been told not to be afraid of, Luxon believed Labour had confused the term.

National opposed co-governance in the delivery of public services, such as health, education and critical infrastructure, he said, but it did not mean National did not want Māori involved in decision-making.

“By Māori, for Māori” could be within a coherent public service, he said.

National leader Christopher Luxon and deputy leader Nicola Willis and their MPs are welcomed on Rātana Pa Marae. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Whānau ora, kohanga reo and charter schools were examples Luxon cited as good examples of self-driven initiatives by Māori communities.

Incoming Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni says she not surprised Christopher Luxon’s first speech at Rātana was largely about co-governance, saying National likes to “rark up the tensions in the space with regards to racism”.

“It’s pretty predictable, it’s very divisive for New Zealanders and I think very irresponsible but not surprised by him doing that at all.”

Sepuloni believed it wasn’t the first time Luxon had made inappropriate comments at public events, recognising the theme of Rātana is to lean away from the politics.

Luxon was accompanied by a handful of National MPs, including deputy leader Nicola Willis and Māori MPs Harete Hipango, Dr Shane Reti and Tama Potaka at Rātana today.

The National MPs were welcomed onto the site alongside a large Te Pāti Māori contingent, including co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi.

The once allies but current political opponents seen walking together raised a quip from Kingitanga spokesman Rahui Papa during his whaikōrero.

He said it was interesting to see, given their recent comments about each other, the MPs walking “hand in hand - what a beautiful sight”.

Papa welcomed Luxon on his first visit while laying down a challenge for him to work more closely with Māori.

“We welcome you do not be afraid of governance,” Papa said.

“We welcome you to not be afraid of losing power.”

Te ao Māori had “real solutions”, he said.

Musician Stan Walker talks to young fans on Rātana Pa. Photo / Mark Mitchell

“When rangatiratanga and kāwanatanga come together, beautiful things happens,” Papa said.

Papa acknowledged new MP Tama Potaka, who was smiling throughout the speech.

Luxon appeared to be listening intently, breaking into smiles as well when addressed directly.

Waititi started off his response by stating walking hand in hand with National would be “an arm wrestle”.

Earlier, Te Pāti Māori was the first political party to arrive on what is turning out to be a sweltering day in the central North Island settlement, visiting the Rātana temple as is tradition.

Ngarewa-Packer confirmed she would be standing again in the Te Tai Hauāuru seat, held by Labour’s Adrian Rurawhe. Rurawhe, a member of the Rātana Church and Speaker of the House, is tipped to go onto the party list, and will be making an announcement today.

Ngarewa-Packer said Labour’s traditional grip on Māori support through Rātana was not something that could be taken for granted.

Luxon arrived shortly after with a contingent of National MPs. They too visited the Rātana Temple before being welcomed onto the Rātana site for speeches.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will be farewelled at Rātana Pā later today in her last public outing as PM.

It comes as the battle of the Chrises begins, with new Labour leader Chris Hipkins and Luxon debuting in what is regarded unofficially as the start of the political year.

That traditional moniker granted to the Māori religious festival was arguably blown out of the water by Ardern last Thursday with the bombshell news she was resigning, along with setting the election date of October 14.

Ardern will attend Rātana Pā - just south of Whanganui - alongside Hipkins, in what will be her last official political outing, and accompanied by a raft of Labour MPs and ministers.

They will be welcomed on to the marae and given the opportunity to speak from 2pm, alongside support partner the Green Party.

National was welcomed on at about 11am, along with Te Pāti Māori as opposition parties. Act is not attending.

The three-day Rātana religious festival began on Monday and culminates on the birthday of the church’s late founder, Tahupotiki Wiremu Rātana, on January 25.

Thousands of Mōrehu, followers, have descended on the small Māori village, from iwi across the country.

The middle or politicians day is often referred to as the start of the political year - especially in an election year - where promises are made, tones set, and Māori from across the country make clear their views.

The Rātana movement is a church and pan-iwi political movement founded by Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana in 1925. It has historic links to the Labour Party after its founding prophet formed an alliance with former PM Michael Joseph Savage in 1936.

That alliance has been challenged by parties such as Te Pāti Māori, but has stood the test of time.

National Party leader Christopher Luxon arriving at Rātana Pā. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The church currently has around 50,000 followers.

Ardern herself has a special connection to Rātana, attending in 2018 in her first public outing since announcing she was pregnant.

Rātana were also the first to gift a name to her daughter Neve - Waru (eight), a significant number for the Rātana Church.

It is expected Ardern will be acknowledged for her time as Prime Minister, while Hipkins will be welcomed and challenged on Labour’s record for Māori.

On Sunday in his first press conference as leader, he stumbled when asked to name the articles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

He will likely also be pushed for his views on co-governance and the Government’s agenda, which he has signalled will be pulled back.