Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples said there was "great shame" that New Zealand had still not signed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples despite the new Australian government signing it.
New Zealand was one of four nations who did not sign the declaration in September 2007, while 143 countries did, Dr Sharples said at Maori King Tuheitia Paki's birthday celebrations in Hamilton today.
Canada, the United States and Australia opted not to sign, but the new Australian government did so on April 3.
"The challenge is to take up the leadership inspired by Australia in recent weeks, to take a fresh approach and to invest in the belief in indigenous peoples gives us hope that Aotearoa can also have the courage to demonstrate our respect for tangata whenua," Dr Sharples said.
Prime Minister John Key said he was "considering Australia's position and what that means".
While it was a non-binding document, if New Zealand were to sign it, it would want "to make sure that we do so in good faith and as best we can would be able to honour it."
King Tuheitia was born on April 21, 1955 and today is the inaugural Kingitanga Day. The day will be an annual celebration of the Kingitanga movement.
In his speech, Dr Sharples said Kingitanga was acknowledged by many iwi throughout New Zealand as "a distinctive and ongoing expression of our unity as people".
"The desire to retain land was a central principle driving the establishment of the movement, as well as the commitment to Maori authority and autonomy, mana motuhake.
"I am sure that throughout the course of this Kingitanga Day, this year and every year, the vital bonds that tie iwi to the movement will be strengthened and the relationships continue to thrive."
