The people of Ngāpuhi deliver a powerful haka, welcoming parliamentarians onto the upper Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

The people of Ngāpuhi deliver a powerful haka, welcoming parliamentarians onto the upper Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

The prime minister and other MPs were welcomed back onto the Waitangi Treaty Grounds on Thursday morning as the long weekend gets underway.

RNZ photographers and journalists were on the ground covering the events.

Here’s how the day unfolded in pictures.

The Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

The grounds on Thursday morning.
Photo: MARK PAPALII / RNZ

The Waitangi Treaty Grounds 2026.

The calm before crowds arrived.
Photo: MARK PAPALII / RNZ

Banners put up by protestors around the Treaty Grounds.

Banners put up by protestors around the Treaty Grounds.
Photo: CRAIG MCCULLOCH / RNZ

Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

Preparing for the pōwhiri at Waitangi.
Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

People gather at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

People gather at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
Photo: GILES DEXTER / RNZ

Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

Shortly before the pōwhiri.
Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Many people were wearing red blankets emblazoned with words referring to Te Tiriti, whenua and He Whakaputanga.

Many people were wearing red blankets emblazoned with words referring to Te Tiriti, whenua and He Whakaputanga.
Photo: Pokere Paewai / RNZ

The pōwhiri at Waitangi.

The pōwhiri.
Photo: GILES DEXTER / RNZ

Protesters at Waitangi led by Wikitana Popata.

Protesters at Waitangi led by Wikitana Popata.
Photo: CRAIG MCCULLOCH / RNZ

The people of Ngāpuhi deliver a powerful haka, welcoming parliamentarians onto the upper Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

The pōwhiri.
Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

The people of Ngāpuhi deliver a powerful haka, welcoming parliamentarians onto the upper Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

Politicians watch on.
Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

PM, Winston Peters being welcomed to Waitangi

The Prime Minister Christopher Luxon being welcomed alongside side NZ First leader Winston Peters.
Photo: RNZ/Mark Papalii

Thursday at Waitangi 2026.

The pōwhiri.
Photo: MARK PAPALII / RNZ

Thursday at Waitangi 2026.

Many donned Paraikete whero (Red blankets).
Photo: MARK PAPALII / RNZ

Luxon and Peters talk at Waitangi.

Luxon and Peters talk at Waitangi.
Photo: RNZ/Mark Papalii

Crowds at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds on Thursday.

Crowds at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds on Thursday.
Photo: MARK PAPALII / RNZ

A Waitangi guest.

A Waitangi guest.
Photo: MARK PAPALII / RNZ

Performers at Waitangi.

Performers at Waitangi.
Photo: MARK PAPALII / RNZ

Labour leader Chris Hipkins at Waitangi.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins at Waitangi.
Photo: MARK PAPALII / RNZ

Green co-leaders Chlöe Swarbrick and Marama Davidson sit alongside ACT's deputy leader Brooke van Velden.

Green co-leaders Chlöe Swarbrick and Marama Davidson sit alongside ACT’s deputy leader Brooke van Velden.
Photo: MARK PAPALII / RNZ

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi speaking at Waitangi.

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi speaking at Waitangi.
Photo: MARK PAPALII / RNZ

Police Minister Mark Mitchell at Waitangi.

Police Minister Mark Mitchell at Waitangi.
Photo: MARK PAPALII / RNZ

Labour leader Chris Hipkins speaks at Waitangi.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins speaks at Waitangi.
Photo: MARK PAPALII / RNZ

NZ First leader Winston Peters speaks at Waitangi on 5 February 2026.

NZ First leader Winston Peters speaks.
Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon sits beside coalition party leaders Winston Peters and David Seymour.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon sits beside coalition party leaders Winston Peters and David Seymour.
Photo: MARK PAPALII / RNZ

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