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
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.