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Labour Should Apologise To Dame Tariana Turia's Whānau - Willie Jackson At Tangi
Pokere Paewai, Māori issues reporter
Politicians past and present have paid their respects to Dame Tariana Turia - with Labour MP Willie Jackson saying the party should consider a formal apology to her whānau over her treatment during the Foreshore and Seabed controversy.
The final group of manuhiri was welcomed onto Whangaehu Marae south of Whanganui on Monday afternoon.
Among the speakers was Sir Pita Sharples - who led Te Pāti Māori with Dame Tariana at its founding.
Many other politicians were in attendance, including Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, accompanied by Ministers Nicola Willis, Tama Potaka, Mark Mitchell and Shane Jones.
Former Prime Minister Bill English - a close friend of Dame Tariana - was also there.
The leader of the opposition Chris Hipkins and several other Labour MPs also paid their respects.
During his speech on the marae, leader of the Labour Māori Caucus Willie Jackson apologised to Dame Tariana for her treatment during the Foreshore and Seabed controversy.
"My own personal view is that I think Labour should consider an apology in the future to her whānau and iwi because I think what happened to her was tragic in many ways," he told RNZ.
Jackson said there should have been a way for her to give her view while retaining her ministerial position within Labour.
The wider party should consider a formal apology to Dame Tariana and her iwi, he said.
Whānau spokesperson Che Wilson said it was heartfelt to hear the apology on the marae today.
Banner gifted posthumously
Earlier in the day organisers of the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti were among the manuhiri - they posthumously gifted a banner that was carried at the front of the hīkoi to Dame Tariana.
November's hīkoi, which culminated in 40,000 people descending on Parliament, was inspired by Dame Tariana's advocacy for Māori rights, organiser Eru Kapa-Kingi said.
Tomorrow is the final day of the tangi - ending with the nehu or burial of Dame Tariana.
Che Wilson said the services tomorrow will begin with karakia followed by a church service to 'send Auntie on her way.'
"She'll [then] be taken to the urupā by Uncle George [Turia] and all the family and then once that's finished we really ask people to stay to have a kai, because we will be catering for everyone and it's often really easy for people to leave but there will be takeaway boxes."
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