A host of organisations from te ao Māori were welcomed at Te Whare Rūnanga on the Treaty grounds on Sunday 4 February, as part of the second day of Waitangi commemorations.
The manuhiri (visitors) included delegations from Kīngitanga, Rātana, Parihaka and Te Pāti Māori.
- Read more about what happened in RNZ’s coverage from throughout the day here.
Te Pāti Māori co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi speak to media before joining the delegation of manuhiri (visitors), early on Sunday afternoon.
Photo: RNZ / Craig McCulloch
Labour leader Chris Hipkins disembarking from a waka at Waitangi.
Photo: RNZ / Craig McCulloch
Spectators watching the pōwhiri.
Photo: RNZ/ Angus Dreaver
Anglican Bishop Kitohi Pikaahu leading a karakia.
Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Ngāpuhi rangatira Isaiah Apiata during the first kōrero for the hau kāinga (local iwi).
Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Kiingi Tuuheitia (centre) who rarely attends Waitangi, sits beside Dame Naida Glavish. Discussions from the recent Hui aa Motu called by Tuuheitia were expected to continue at Waitangi, focusing on the Declaration of Independence and Treaty of Waitangi.
Photo: RNZ/ Angus Dreaver
Kaikōrero Aperahama Edwards of Ngāti Wai.
Photo: RNZ/ Angus Dreaver
Ngāpuhi Rangatira Matua Hone Sadler speaks for the hau kāinga: “We must work together to find a solution to move forward so that we all may move forward together”. He thanks Tuuheitia for calling the earlier hui.
Photo: RNZ/ Angus Dreaver
Bayden Barber, chair of Ngāti Kahungunghu, is second to speak for the manuhiri: “Unite, unite. For we must be united. We have representation of the whole country and acknowledging the sacred documents He Whakaputanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi… remain steadfast te iwi Māori.”
Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Rehua Mihaka of Ngāti Pikiao Te Arawa: “We are … over this current government. We are here for unity.”
Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Rātana representative Te Taepa Kameta: “To support the talks we must remain peaceful. I acknowledge Shane [Jones] and Winston [Peters]. We still love you. But you came to my house and said ‘If you want to talk Waitangi, let’s talk at Waitangi’. I am at your house and you are not here.”
Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Rāniera Procter: “Yes, I agree with not responding anger with anger but we must also be sharp and ready”.
Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Te Kahautu Maxwell (blue suit) said: “We will fight for our sovereignty. We will fight for our rangatiratanga. What we need and what we must do to achieve unity is to love one another, regardless of genealogy.”
Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Aupito William Sio speaking as a representative for the Pacific Island community talked about his shared aspirations for Māori and Pasifika people.
Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Karakia as proceedings wrapped up for the day.
Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver