The Maori king is urging New Zealand's political leaders to stop using race issues for political gain

The Kiingitanga has delivered the message at the annual Koroneihana event at Turangawaewae Marae in Waikato this week.

The Prime Minister and several MPs are attending the festivities today - which celebrate the tangata whenua monarch's reign.

The Kiingitanga's chief of staff says Aotearoa must decide if it will stay on the path of inequality, poor education and severe health problems.

But Ngira Simmonds says most importantly, we must ask whether leaders are able address Maori issues without turning them into click bait.