Photo: RNZ / Layla Bailey-McDowell
Politicians, church leaders, local iwi and a crowd in the thousands attended the dawn service which kicked off Waitangi Day celebrations.
The service included a rowdy reception for deputy prime minister David Seymour, who faced boos, and audience members heckling him during his speech. A pūtatara (conch shell) could also be heard blowing.
RNZ photographers and journalists were at the service.
Here is how the morning unfolded in pictures.
Sunrise at Waitangi today. Photo: RNZ / Layla Bailey-McDowell
Crowds gathered early for the dawn service. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
The governor general Dame Cindy Kiro, deputy prime minister David Seymour, National's Dr Shane Reti and Labour leader Chris Hipkins at the service. Photo: RNZ / Layla Bailey-McDowell
Defence Force personnel at the service. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
One of those attending. Photo: RNZ Mark Papalii
Waitangi Day 2026 is marked at Te Whare Rūnanga, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in the Bay of Islands. Photo: RNZ Mark Papalii
Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour delivers his reading. Photo: RNZ Mark Papalii
Bishop Te Kito Pikaahu asked the crowd for calm while Seymour delivered his prayer. Photo: RNZ/Mark Papalii
A protestor during Seymour's reading. Photo: RNZ Mark Papalii
A band plays during the service. Photo: RNZ Mark Papalii
The crowd as the sun rises. Photo: RNZ Mark Papalii
Greens' co-leader Marama Davidson. Photo: RNZ Mark Papalii
Dame Cindy Kiro. Photo: Mark Papalii
National's Dr Shane Reti. Photo: Mark Papalii
Labour leader Chris Hipkins. Photo: Mark Papalii
Bagpipes at the dawn service. Photo: Mark Papalii
A flag is raised at the dawn service. Photo: Mark Papalii
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