{"id":269746,"date":"2026-02-05T23:42:14","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T23:42:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/269746\/"},"modified":"2026-02-05T23:42:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T23:42:14","slug":"waitangi-2026-dawn-service-in-pictures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/269746\/","title":{"rendered":"Waitangi 2026: Dawn service in pictures"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/4JTNAJ6_Image_7_jfif.jpeg\" width=\"1050\" height=\"700\" alt=\"Sunrise at Waitangi\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"photo-captioned__information\">\n<p>Photo: RNZ \/ Layla Bailey-McDowell\n<\/p>\n<p>Politicians, church leaders, local iwi and a crowd in the thousands attended the dawn service which kicked off <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rnz.co.nz\/news\/political\/585981\/coalition-and-opposition-mps-face-waitangi-crowds\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Waitangi Day<\/a> celebrations.<\/p>\n<p>The service included a rowdy reception for deputy prime minister David Seymour, who faced boos, and audience members heckling him during his speech. A p\u016btatara (conch shell) could also be heard blowing.<\/p>\n<p>RNZ photographers and journalists were at the service.<\/p>\n<p>Here is how the morning unfolded in pictures.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/4JTNAJ6_Image_6_jfif.jpeg\" width=\"1050\" height=\"1400\" alt=\"Sunrise at Waitangi\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"photo-captioned__information\">\nSunrise at Waitangi today.<br \/>\nPhoto: RNZ \/ Layla Bailey-McDowell\n<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/4JTNFAP_Image_jfif.jpeg\" width=\"1050\" height=\"699\" alt=\"Scene at Waitangi on Friday\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"photo-captioned__information\">\nCrowds gathered early for the dawn service.<br \/>\nPhoto: RNZ \/ Mark Papalii\n<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/4JTNE47_Image_1_jfif.jpeg\" width=\"1050\" height=\"700\" alt=\"Politicians, Governor General at Waitangi\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"photo-captioned__information\">\nThe governor general Dame Cindy Kiro, deputy prime minister David Seymour, National&#8217;s Dr Shane Reti and Labour leader Chris Hipkins at the service.<br \/>\nPhoto: RNZ \/ Layla Bailey-McDowell\n<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/4JTNC50_Image_4_jfif.jpeg\" width=\"1050\" height=\"700\" alt=\"Waitangi\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"photo-captioned__information\">\nDefence Force personnel at the service.<br \/>\nPhoto: RNZ \/ Mark Papalii\n<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/4JTNE7H_dawn_service_1_3_jpg.jpeg\" width=\"1050\" height=\"700\" alt=\"Waitangi Day 2026 is marked at Te Whare R\u016bnanga, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in the Bay of Islands.\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"photo-captioned__information\">\nOne of those attending.<br \/>\nPhoto: RNZ Mark Papalii\n<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/4JTNFPU_dawn_service_1_jpg.jpeg\" width=\"1050\" height=\"700\" alt=\"Waitangi Day 2026 is marked at Te Whare R\u016bnanga, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in the Bay of Islands.\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"photo-captioned__information\">\nWaitangi Day 2026 is marked at Te Whare R\u016bnanga, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in the Bay of Islands.<br \/>\nPhoto: RNZ Mark Papalii\n<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/4JTNFCK_david_1_jpg.jpeg\" width=\"1050\" height=\"700\" alt=\"David seymour\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"photo-captioned__information\">\nDeputy Prime Minister David Seymour delivers his reading.<br \/>\nPhoto: RNZ Mark Papalii\n<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/4JTNBA8_david_1_4_jpg.jpeg\" width=\"1050\" height=\"699\" alt=\"Bishop Te Kito Pikaahu asked the crowd for calm while Seymour delivered his prayer.\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"photo-captioned__information\">\nBishop Te Kito Pikaahu asked the crowd for calm while Seymour delivered his prayer.<br \/>\nPhoto: RNZ\/Mark Papalii\n<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/4JTNFE7_david_1_2_jpg.jpeg\" width=\"1050\" height=\"700\" alt=\"A protestor during deputy prime minister David Seymour's speech at the dawn ceremony at Waitangi Day 2026.\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"photo-captioned__information\">\nA protestor during Seymour&#8217;s reading.<br \/>\nPhoto: RNZ Mark Papalii\n<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/4JTNDG0_dawn_service_1_7_jpg.jpeg\" width=\"1050\" height=\"700\" alt=\"Waitangi Day 2026 is marked at Te Whare R\u016bnanga, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in the Bay of Islands.\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"photo-captioned__information\">\nA band plays during the service.<br \/>\nPhoto: RNZ Mark Papalii\n<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/4JTNDEJ_dawn_service_1_9_jpg.jpeg\" width=\"1050\" height=\"700\" alt=\"Waitangi Day 2026 is marked at Te Whare R\u016bnanga, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in the Bay of Islands.\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"photo-captioned__information\">\nThe crowd as the sun rises.<br \/>\nPhoto: RNZ Mark Papalii\n<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/4JTNF56_dawn_service_1_2_jpg.jpeg\" width=\"1050\" height=\"700\" alt=\"Waitangi Day 2026 is marked at Te Whare R\u016bnanga, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in the Bay of Islands.\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"photo-captioned__information\">\nGreens&#8217; co-leader Marama Davidson.<br \/>\nPhoto: RNZ Mark Papalii\n<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/4JTN7DI_dawn_service_1_14_jpg.jpeg\" width=\"1050\" height=\"700\" alt=\"Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro at the Waitangi Day dawn ceremony 2026.\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"photo-captioned__information\">\nDame Cindy Kiro.<br \/>\nPhoto: Mark Papalii\n<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/4JTNCKC_dawn_service_1_16_jpg.jpeg\" width=\"1050\" height=\"700\" alt=\"National's Dr Shane Reti at the Waitangi Day dawn ceremony 2026.\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"photo-captioned__information\">\nNational&#8217;s Dr Shane Reti.<br \/>\nPhoto: Mark Papalii\n<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/4JTN73V_dawn_service_1_18_jpg.jpeg\" width=\"1050\" height=\"700\" alt=\"Labour leader Chris Hipkins at the Waitangi Day dawn ceremony 2026.\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"photo-captioned__information\">\nLabour leader Chris Hipkins.<br \/>\nPhoto: Mark Papalii\n<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/4JTNCGP_dawn_service_1_21_jpg.jpeg\" width=\"1050\" height=\"700\" alt=\"Bagpipes played at the Waitangi Day dawn ceremony 2026.\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"photo-captioned__information\">\nBagpipes at the dawn service.<br \/>\nPhoto: Mark Papalii\n<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/4JTNCGC_dawn_service_1_22_jpg.jpeg\" width=\"1050\" height=\"700\" alt=\"Waitangi dawn ceremony 2026.\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"photo-captioned__information\">\nA flag is raised at the dawn service.<br \/>\nPhoto: Mark Papalii\n<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/radionz.us6.list-manage.com\/subscribe?u=211a938dcf3e634ba2427dde9&amp;id=b3d362e693\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Sign up for Ng\u0101 Pitopito K\u014drero<\/a>, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Photo: RNZ \/ Layla Bailey-McDowell Politicians, church leaders, local iwi and a crowd in the thousands attended the&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":269747,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[48,47,42,43,49,46,44,45,40,38,41,39],"class_list":{"0":"post-269746","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-headlines","8":"tag-audio","9":"tag-current-affairs","10":"tag-headlines","11":"tag-news","12":"tag-podcasts","13":"tag-public-radio","14":"tag-radio-new-zealand","15":"tag-rnz","16":"tag-top-news","17":"tag-top-stories","18":"tag-topnews","19":"tag-topstories"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/269746","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=269746"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/269746\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/269747"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=269746"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=269746"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=269746"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}