Waikato-Tainui chairwoman Parekawhia McLean said New Zealanders should not allow such opinions to go unchallenged.

An influential Māori leader has termed Sir William Gallagher's Treaty comments "outdated, privileged and sad".

Waikato-Tainui chairwoman Parekawhia McLean said New Zealanders should not allow such opinions to go unchallenged.

Sir William, chief executive of the internationally recognised Gallagher Group, in a speech to businesspeople said the Treaty of Waitangi papers on display at Te Papa were fraudulent documents and the concept of the Treaty itself was a rort.

CHRISTEL YARDLEY/STUFF The Gallagher mansion in Hamilton, which overlooks Lake Rotoroa.

"Waikato-Tainui, together with the people of the Waikato region, have worked hard for decades to build a society where everyone's rights are respected and where diversity and culture are celebrated," McLean said.

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"Mr Gallagher's views are sad and disappointing in the 21st century, especially coming from the head of a respected and influential Waikato company."

STUFF Professional director Traci Houpapa was in attendance and said Sir William's comments on the Treaty were factually incorrect.

A statement issued at 5pm on Monday by Gallagher Group said Sir William's view was a personal view and did not represent the views of the company

"Sir William has advised he is not available for media inquiry and is directing those interested to the book Once We Were One, by Andy Oakely, Truss Publishing, for further background to his views."

The Gallagher Group chairman and chief executive spoke at a Christmas cocktail function hosted by the Waikato branch of the Institute of Directors (IoD).

DOMINICO ZAPATA/FAIRFAX NZ Hamilton businessman Nick Johnston was at the speech and said it was disheartening to hear.

About half a dozen of the 100-strong audience walked out during Sir William's speech.

The institute invited Sir William to speak in front of members, including Chartered Fellows who are Māori and work with iwi.

Professional director and chairwoman of the Federation of Māori Authorities Traci Houpapa was in attendance and said Sir William's comments, especially on the Treaty, were factually incorrect.

TOM LEE/STUFF Sir William Gallagher at home in his lakefront mansion.

"I did not agree with him and, as I looked around the room, I could see that not many people agreed with him either."

While she accepted the right to free speech, she said Sir William's remarks can be dismissed as commenst from an individual with a way of thinking from an old era.

"We've had people like Sir William voicing their viewpoints and having very strong comments around te reo, around Māori and the Treaty – all of which are largely baseless and ill-informed or factually incorrect.

"We've come such a long way – why would we have this old thinking coming through yet again from a generation that aren't necessarily well-tuned or engaged with what's happening now in New Zealand?"

She said Māori were significant contributors to the strategic success of the NZ economy. They have strong partnerships and strong relationships with the Government and the private sector.

"Māori primary industry assets represent a significant portion of what keeps New Zealand going, the backbone of the New Zealand economy.

"We have more Māori who are interested in focusing on our success as Māori economic leaders and our success with New Zealand. We are more inclined to look at the strategic success opportunities rather than deal with comments of individuals.

"This undermines the good work Māori are doing and the progress Māori are making in terms of Treaty settlements and growing the wealth and wellbeing of our people."

In a statement on Monday, the IoD apologised to "anyone who was offended by the remarks made at the Waikato branch Christmas event".

Also on Monday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was asked on RNZ 's Morning Report for her response to his comments. Her succinct reply: "He's wrong."

Hamilton businessman Nick Johnston, who ran for Hamilton City Council last year, was at the cocktail function on Friday night and was disappointed by the speech.

"During the election, I had seen the Hobson's Pledge signs that were up outside the Gallagher Group office – so I wasn't surprised, but it was disheartening to hear.

"But I was taken aback that he would use a forum like that to discuss it."

Johnston said Sir William's speech was insightful and engaging to begin with, but then he went on a "bizarre tangent" which drew a lot of uncomfortable looks and reactions around the room.

"I think some people were caught off guard. It was pretty clear as the speech progressed, you could definitely see people were uncomfortable with what he said."

He said the comments show that there is sometimes a disconnect within the community.

"Hamilton has the second highest Māori population in the country when it comes to city population, and I think our Māori culture and everything that it contributes is something to be celebrated.

"I do worry when we have very prominent members of our community saying comments like this."

The speech came after the Otago Daily Times published an opinion piece by Dave Witherow, who argued that supporters of te reo Māori were "boring bigots".

During his interview on Sunday with Stuff, Sir William referred to the Hobson's Pledge campaign, as well as the 2015 book One Treaty One Nation, by Hugh Barr, both of which had been championed by former National and Act party leader Don Brash.

Brash said on Monday that he agreed with Sir William's comments.

"I thought he made some very good points," Brash said.

"The Treaty has been grossly distorted in recent times. People talk about partnership – there is no partnership in the Treaty. There's a whole bunch of things being distorted and Sir William expressed his frustrations with that."

Managers of the Chiefs rugby team, a direct recipient of Gallagher largesse, failed to respond to requests for comment on Monday.

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