It looks like the Duke and Dutchess have given their Ngaruawahia stop-over the flick of the royal wrist. The Maori king and Rangiwhakaruru will have to make do with a royal wave as the brits drive past down the highway… its not like they view those Maori’s as proper royals anyway… in fact his mother Te Atairangikaahu was not even regarded as a Queen at all by Old Lizzie – she was simply a “Dame” and nothing more in the eyes of those royal british bludgers!
Wills and Kate’s Turangawaewae visit off – for now
Prince William’s visit to Turangawaewae Marae has been cancelled – for now.
Preparations were underway at the Kingitanga’s seat of power in Ngaruawahia but plans have been brought to a halt.
Marae insiders slipped a message to Times that said “the Royal visit has been cancelled!!!!”
They blamed “politicking” and were disappointed to hear the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge would not follow in the footsteps of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh’s visit in 1953.
Questions were asked as to how the plans could collapse so quickly, but the Waikato Times understands government officials may have been at the centre of it.
Maori King Tuheitia was approached by staff from the Maori Affairs ministry, Te Puni Kokiri, with a list of demands and a tight timeframe that would have broken proper protocol on his marae.
The king and his advisers were at Ratana Pa celebrations yesterday and were unavailable for comment.
But media manager for the 2014 Royal Visit Office, Allen Walley, said engagements for the tour were yet to be settled.
He said a visit to Turangawaewae could still get the seal of approval.
“There are no venues or events confirmed at this stage,” he said.
Government officials had looked at a number of venues but final decisions had yet to be made, he said.
Someone had jumped the gun confirming the visit, but Mr Walley advised against hanging up the bunting just yet as there was still ample opportunity to showcase Waikato attractions.
“It was perhaps a little bit ahead of play,” he said.
“Basically, everywhere in the country is in the mix at the moment.”
Te Puni Kokiri communications manager Paula Collins issued a brief statement on the saga but failed to answer the Times’ questions.
The latest Tainui news from Eraka's Blog 
Jan 28, 2014 @ 10:13:01
WHERE IS THE KINGITANGA LEADERSHIP THAT WOULD CHALLENGE THE CROWN???
If Princess Te Puea, Kingi Koroki or Kingi Tawhiao were the LEADERS of the day, they would have challenged the crown for replacement by now!! No reira, as we can see the LEADERLESSNESS of Tuheitia as he would rather invite the racist oppressors for lunch whilst te pohara Maori whanau, starve!! This is proof of his FAILURE of leadership to challenge elizabeth! END OF IRIHAPETA AS NZ KUINI!! Karanga ra karanga ra karanga ra!!
Jan 31, 2014 @ 07:03:02
Stop Dwelling in the past about Tawhiao, Te Puea, Koroki and their leadership, that was then, we now live in different times where all Maaori leaders are not as staunch as they were back in those times.
Even the kaumaatua of today dont have the same calibre as those of years gone by.
Apr 19, 2014 @ 10:05:54
Te Puea and co never challenged the government with the allocated time they were given when Elizabeth visited Turangawaewae. They were only given 3-5 minutes, which Te Arikinui turned into 15 minutes after she offered them cups of tea.
Feb 05, 2014 @ 20:55:25
Off topic. Just completed a survey for the ‘Waikato River Authority’, it had areas of the awa they were restoring with a couple options for respondents to choose which was fine, what really got me was that for each option there was a cost the ratepayers would have to bear. I know millions had been given to the authority to clean the river yet why are ratepayers still having to pay.
I decided to do some browsing and checked out the Waikato River Authority site, lo and behold who’s a new co Chair, the devil Morgan. I check out the 2013 Funded Projects for the awa and find $1 mil awarded to Tainui Development Authority Limited – further digging and who is one of two directors, the devil Morgan the other being his sidekick Mr. Maipi. It’s way too much of a coincidence (in relation to other stories I’ve read on here about those two) let alone conflict of interest much?
Apr 19, 2014 @ 17:09:53
Great research. Those two have their greedy fingers in a few pies don’t they?
Apr 19, 2014 @ 17:59:25
Yes its a joint managed operation headed up by Tuku Morgan and John Luxton or at least it was when it was set up. The problem is that it is apparently becoming a closed shop. Anyone submitting a proposal for funding a project that can have a beneficial affect for the environment may find the process too hard.
It is in that respect a typical kiwi old boys club where outsiders do not get a look in. It does not matter how good your proposal may appear these guys close ranks.
The rate payers should be very afraid of where these people are heading because it was never intended that ratepayers would be forced to fund the WRA.
The govt were meant to fund it $7mil a yr for 30yrs. Tuku is not on there by accident. The man with the plan and like him or loathe him he is a lot smarter then people give him credit for.
Feb 07, 2014 @ 18:33:39
TeManawa took on Q Elizabeth and the crown in 2013 on going. She has done a lot more than people realise. Thought you should know as to Waikato River no surprises there if you change nothing nothing changes
Feb 19, 2014 @ 19:14:02
Ae manawanui wouldn’t want the pakeha press to get knowledge of this would we !!!!
Apr 19, 2014 @ 17:11:46
They probably already know and are laughing their heads off at how stupid we are. Sigh.
Apr 20, 2014 @ 12:32:26
If I am able to find this information with just a simple search online, I’m sure the right ‘scoundrel minded’, “pakeha press” are able to as well. And like Makerealbany. Sigh.