Prime Minister John Key will not be going to Waitangi this year, following a row over whether he should be able to attend and speak at the celebrations.
A letter was sent to Mr Key last night from Te Tii Marae trustees which said he would be allowed to speak in the whare, but his speech must not be political.
Mr Key called those rules a "gagging order" and said he wouldn't attend on Saturday unless the rules were revoked.
A one-line statement from a spokesperson from his office to media this afternoon, it says: "The Prime Minister's Office has had no response to its letter sent to trustees at Te Tii Marae earlier today. Accordingly, the Prime Minister has decided he will not be attending celebrations in Waitangi this year."
It is the first time since 2007 that Mr Key has not attended Waitangi celebrations - he first attended as leader of the Opposition and each year during his prime ministership.
Mr Key's decision comes after confusion and infighting among Ngapuhi elders over whether the Prime Minister should be allowed onto the lower marae.
Earlier today, Ngapuhi elder Kingi Taurua criticised Mr Key for saying he would not attend Waitangi commemorations unless strict speaking rules are thrown out.
Mr Taurua told Newshub he was "really pissed off about the bastard", trying to alter the kawa (rules) of the marae, and said it simply wasn't going to happen.
The letter, obtained by Newshub, also said that if Mr Key wanted to speak, he would have to go to Hone Harawira's political forum tent where he's been allocated one hour.
Newshub.
