OPINION: The Prime Minister has already abandoned the sinking ship that is Te Tii Marae and it doesn't look like he'll be the last.

Bill English decided last month that he wasn't going to spend any more time debating the matter of speaking rights at the marae when he could go anywhere else in the country and be welcomed with open arms.

Only a few weeks later and a number of prominent Maori including Te Tai Tokerau MP Kelvin Davis, broadcaster and soon-to-be announced Labour candidate Willie Jackson, NZ First leader Winston Peters and Maori Party co-leader Marama Fox are all shaking their heads, deeply saddened, or both, at what is unfolding up north this weekend.

JO MOIR/ FAIRFAX NZ Marae officials put up tarpaulins to block views into Te Tii Marae, Waitangi.

On Saturday the lower marae shut its gate, doors, gaps in hedges, footpath and road to media wanting to record or film the powhiri for the Governor-General.

READ MORE:

* Marae officials block view into Te Tii marae at Waitangi

* Waitangi's Te Tii Marae demanding $10,000 for 'exclusive broadcast rights' of ceremonies on national day

* Bill English says Waitangi organisers need to 'get to grips' with a national day Kiwis will support

* Traffic chaos ahead of Waitangi weekend

The marae belongs to the people and they absolutely have the right to decide who to welcome into their home - but in banning the media they shut the door on the millions of New Zealanders who couldn't be at Waitangi yet wanted to feel a part of the events there.

JASON DORDAY/FAIRFAX NZ Te Tii Marae representatives used tarpaulins to shut media out from the powhiri for Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy.

Waitangi is special to those who call it home but it also means something to anyone who calls New Zealand home.

February 6 is our national day and the events leading up to that day are relevant to the whole country.

Everything from the new Governor-General, Dame Patsy Reddy, being welcomed to Waitangi for the first time to politicians' vision for the country for the year ahead - all of that is important to more than just those sat on Te Tii marae this weekend.

JASON DORDAY/FAIRFAX NZ Dozens of police officers lined the perimeter of Te Tii Marae and kept media and the public at a distance.

English has already thrown his support behind the government travelling to a different destination each year to recognise the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi and there seems to be plenty of public support for it.

The likes of Davis, Peters and Fox are right when they say Waitangi Day will always exist at Waitangi whether the government is there or not.

But if the trustees of Te Tii Marae can't open their home for two days to the rest of the country to experience and witness the events that lead up to our national day then are they really the right people for the job?

JO MOIR/ FAIRFAX NZ There has been a strong police presence at Waitangi.

There's a high chance plenty of other iwi, hapu and whanau would welcome the opportunity and responsibility that comes with hosting these events.

New Zealand is a country that prides itself on being friendly, hospitable, warm and welcoming to all those that travel so far to visit.

It's high time we treated each other the same way on the day we're meant to be remembering how we all came to be living together in this little slice of paradise.