Pita Tipene reflects on the Queen's relationship with Waitangi

Over the years Queen Elizabeth's relationship with Māori has been both a focus of debate and protest, but also celebration and reflection. The Queen heard the call of the karanga - and haka pohiri in the many visits to Aotearoa...as she was welcomed by mana whenua. The Waitangi Treaty Grounds is one of the places that received the Queen a number of times - where of course the Treaty which made the Crown the head of state was signed. Her very first visit was on Monday 28 December during her inaugural Commonwealth tour, in the 'royal summer' of 1953-54. The Queen again attended Waitangi celebrations in 1974 and 1990, the latter date marking 150 years since the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Royal visits were cause for celebration. But also presented great debate - like at the 150th anniversary of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1990. The chair of the Waitangi National Trust Board Pita Tipene spoke to Māni Dunlop.