NZ Politics Live at Te Koroneihana
Where was David Seymour?
ACT leader David Seymour's Treaty Principles Bill took a lot of discussion between the paepae at Turangawaewae.
But Seymour, who is expected to introduce the Treaty Principles Bill later this year, was the only party leader who did not attend the Koroneihana events this year.
Stuff spoke to Seymour at his Beehive office earlier today. He denied he was shying away from debate.
"I got an invitation to help celebrate the king's 18th anniversary of his coronation in Ngāruawahia, but thought it was better to stay here working on charter schools and regulation," he said.
Last week, when the Waitangi Tribunal fiercely condemned the Treaty Principles Bill, Seymour said he was looking forward to a debate about the bill.
"Well, I think the debate will be fun. There's vast amounts of opportunity to have it. I don't think one occasion a debate makes," Seymour said on Monday, when asked why he wasn't debating at Turangawaewae.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins said Seymour was shying away from debate.
Given National and NZ First ruled out supporting the bill past its first reading, he said the coalition Government had no reason to introduce the bill.
But Seymour, who is expected to introduce the Treaty Principles Bill later this year, was the only party leader who did not attend the Koroneihana events this year.
Stuff spoke to Seymour at his Beehive office earlier today. He denied he was shying away from debate.
"I got an invitation to help celebrate the king's 18th anniversary of his coronation in Ngāruawahia, but thought it was better to stay here working on charter schools and regulation," he said.
Last week, when the Waitangi Tribunal fiercely condemned the Treaty Principles Bill, Seymour said he was looking forward to a debate about the bill.
"Well, I think the debate will be fun. There's vast amounts of opportunity to have it. I don't think one occasion a debate makes," Seymour said on Monday, when asked why he wasn't debating at Turangawaewae.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins said Seymour was shying away from debate.
Given National and NZ First ruled out supporting the bill past its first reading, he said the coalition Government had no reason to introduce the bill.