New Zealanders have celebrated Waitangi Day from the top of the North Island to the bottom of the South Island as well as flocking to the main commemorations at Waitangi itself.
In Auckland, a ceremony was held at Okahu Bay on the Waitemata
Harbour. A crowd gathered on the beach for a display at the
original site of the arrival of Governor Hobson, who was invited by
local iwi Ngati Whatua Orakei to create the city of Auckland in
1841.
Dignitaries included the Governor General and Auckland Mayor John
Banks.
A "native noise" concert was held at Okahu Bay domain throughout
the day with Kiwi acts entertaining the crowd.
In Wellington, hundreds flocked to the National Archives, to see the original 1840 Treaty of Waitangi. The document has been on display there since 1991.
Ngai Tahu commemorations in the deep south
The Ngai Tahu commemorations were held at Te Rau Aroha Marae in
Bluff where it was hard to go past the home of Bluff oysters for
the best Waitangi Day food.
There was a special powhiri on a very special southern marae.
Sir Tipene O'Regan of Ngai Tahu says Ngai Tahu commemorates the Treaty at the three places it was signed within the tribe's area. The places are Akaroa, Ruapuke Island and Otakou at the Otago Harbour entrance.
This year, the modern marae in Bluff has taken the honours.
"Te Rau Aroha Marae has a great reputation for being wonderful hosts. We provide great kai, and the weather is always like this," says Aimee Kaio of the marae, referring to the sunny day.
The National Party was noticeably absent from the marae.
"I can't anymore represent the Crown, but I'm letting you know that we'll do our best," says Pete Hodgson, Labour MP.
Manuhiri from all over the world joined the commemorations, welcomed by the breath of their hosts.
"We want to be more involved with what's happening here and to learn about the history of New Zealand," says Javier Balladares, an Argentinian visitor.
Ainslie Lamb, a Southland visitor, says it is important that people who live in New Zealand realise it's not a single-cultured country and that many people can be represented.
The rare takahe even showed up to share the celebrations.
The kaupapa, or theme, for the day was Ngai Tahu -Crown relationships, particularly looking to the future.
"The Treaty is not just a Taonga Maori, it's a treasure for us all because it offers us a framework for considering our citizenship and our nationhood and how that can work in a new world," says O'Regan.
The next generation agrees.
"We're concentrating on moving forward and the good relationships and great works that have been implemented from the past we can carry on into the future," says Kaio.
Nearly 170 years ago, the Treaty of Waitangi was signed nearby and now the future of the modern marae stands firm on that foundation.
Okains Bay store handed over
And it was a day of giving at another South Island celebration.
The owner of New Zealand's oldest operating general store, at Okains Bay on Banks Peninsula, handed ownership of it to the community trust.
"My main thrust is to see that Okains is kept going as a community. We're now part of Christchurch City Council and we feel we want to have the right to survive as a community and this way we'll always have a store," says Murray Thacker.
It was not the only gift to the community with the newly restored schoolhouse also presented to locals.
"The school's beautiful. The board, everyone, Friends of the Museum, so many people have worked so hard to get it to the stage where it is today where we're being able to open it up and use it as an audio visual centre," says Jackie Evans, Okains Bay Trust Custodian.
Around 3,000 people turned out for the celebrations, many of them new Kiwi citizens.
How do you celebrate Waitangi Day? Share your thoughts on our message board below.
Also, ONE News would love to see your images of how you celebrate Waitangi Day. Send to interactivenews@tvnz.co.nz or use the Your Cam option
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