I am in Waitangi this week, my first time being here for Waitangi Day. Yesterday, I was fortunate to join the parliamentary pōwhiri and sit amongst MPs and Ministers as we listened to speakers representing Māori and the Crown.

Being the new kid on the block, I was there mostly to observe, imagining what we might say this time next year if (when!) Opportunity is represented in the House.

So here are my reflections.

1: The raw human experience of a pōwhiri

In a world where AI chatbot social media is a thing… it is such a privilege to participate in kanohi ki te kanohi - face-to-face - human connection. The manuhiri (guests) shuffle onto the marae shoulder to shoulder and sit in chairs so tightly packed you can barely bend to sit down. You feel the vibrations of each waiata in your chest. You see the emotion in the eyes of every speaker.

It reminded me how special it is that this is such a strong part of our culture in Aotearoa New Zealand. Events like this demonstrate to the world the enduring value of real, human interaction.

2: 1 + 1 = 3

As someone of mixed ethnicities, I understand what it feels like to be caught between two worlds, growing up thinking you had to choose one or the other, and realising you’ll never fully fit the mould of either. Over time, I’ve learned that celebrating one part of your identity doesn’t mean suppressing the other.

I believe the same is true for New Zealand. We can elevate Māori without diminishing Pākehā. We can celebrate immigrants while honouring tangata whenua. From the relationships I’ve formed with Māori, I have consistently found deep generosity and support for people and cultures beyond their own whakapapa.

Te Tiriti has helped shape that culture. It provides the foundation for the inclusive, multicultural society we live in today. 

3: Te Tiriti is a gift that provides a mechanism for real collaboration

Kotahitanga is a word we hear often at Waitangi - unity, coming together, working collectively. I’m proud to live in a country where we have a founding agreement that gives us a framework to work through differences rather than ignore them.

Kotahitanga doesn’t mean we will always agree. But it gives us a uniquely Kiwi pathway for partnership, dialogue, and progress when issues are complex or contested. That is something many countries around the world are still searching for.

4: Māori Davos? Kiwi Glasto?

Great food trucks (serving no fizzy drinks - as a mum with two kids in tow, that was excellent to see!), great music, great vibes. Locals and visitors alike come with open minds to learn and experience.

I would love to see this celebration grow even further and become our own iconic annual gathering that leaves people feeling energised, connected, and inspired about the future of Aotearoa.

5: What would a unified Crown presence at Waitangi look like?

In his closing speech, Waihoroi Shortland said he wished he could wave a magic wand over Parliamentarians to make them put aside party colours and find ways to work together.

It made me think: what if every party approached Waitangi not as a political battleground, but as a moment to speak with one voice about the future we want to build together? Healthy debate will always matter in a democracy. But so does demonstrating that we can collaborate on the big, long-term challenges facing our country.

That spirit of constructive cooperation is something I want Opportunity to bring more of into New Zealand politics.

Wishing you and your whānau a very happy Waitangi Day and a restful long weekend. 

Ngā mihi nui,

Qiulae