Waitangi Blog

Speaking to Stuff, Edwards said people turning their backs, and taking ACT leader David Seymour's microphone was a sign for the Government to sit down and stop talking.

"We've always heard sentiments from our elders to be mindful and to be careful of the messages our children hear. Our tamariki were there and they were watching, the motu was watching," he said.

"I think we as a country desire to share more uplifting sentiments and indeed be more honourable as a nation."

Edwards said Seymours speech was "fanning the flames of hurt."

"We were unified today as an iwi and hapū of Te Tai Tokerau."