The Māori King has issued a Royal Proclamation calling for a national hui in the wake of reforms announced by the new Coalition Government.
It'll be held next year - with the aim of unifying concerned voices - and it'll continue into Ratana and Waitangi commemorations.
It comes as yet another Māori policy heads for the scrap heap: Te reo bonuses in the public sector.
There was a pukana and plenty of tikanga Māori on Parliament's forecourt on Wednesday morning as the Governor-Governor Dame Cindy Kiro arrived for the State Opening.
But inside the institution she was opening, changes for Māori are afoot.
"What's important is that we take stock of all the bonuses that are being paid across the public services," said Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
In particular, bonuses for public servants who speak fluent te reo Māori.
"I have sought advice from the Public Service Commission about the circumstances these bonuses have been paid historically and the reason for them," said Public Services Minister Nicola Willis.
"This is a policy that explicitly does not contribute to the quality of public service that people receive," said Regulation Minister David Seymour.
Seymour's compiled figures showing 547 public servants across 12 Government departments were paid a total of nearly $800,000 this year alone for being fluent in te reo Māori.
"When did these bonuses enter these agreements?" Willis asked. "What's the purpose of them? Are they delivering their purpose?"
The Opposition is infuriated.
"Those who speak fluent Te Reo Māori in public service roles... [having] their pay docked is disgraceful," said Labour leader Chris Hipkins.
"Sadly, I think it just confirms the backwards focus of this Government," said Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.
Labour's Willie Jackson said it makes him "sick".
"I'm sorry if it's had that effect on Willie personally," Seymour responded.
As for public servants being paid to learn te reo Māori, Luxon said: "People who want to learn te reo or learn any other education actually pay for it themselves."
New Zealand First MP Shane Jones said: "If you really want to save the language, it's really got to come from deep in your heart.
"You've got to teach your children. It's a struggle.
"You shouldn't just be incentivised at work," Jones said.
But it's seen as another attack on Māori and another reason why the Kingitanga movement's mobilising.
"We are hoping it will be big. We are hoping for a lot of people. The hui is open to absolutely everybody, not just Māori," said Ngira Simmonds, Kingitanga chief of staff.
Kingi Tuheitia has organised a national hui next month, calling for unity.
"Some of these plans are not considering our voice and our view, and you can see that happening in growing concern among Māoridom across the country," said Simmonds.
But deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters won't be attending.
"I'll get on with democracy," he said.
Luxon, meanwhile, said the hui seems "very constructive."
