Ata mārie, Aotearoa New Zealand, and welcome to the New Zealand Herald’s live coverage of Waitangi Day.

It is 183 years today since the first signatures were placed on what became our country’s founding document. Events are planned across the country to mark the anniversary.

The dawn ceremony: Leaders call for unity; 82yo protestor removed

About 2000 people have braved the morning’s changeable weather and gathered on the Waitangi treaty grounds for the dawn service outside of Te Whare Rūnanga.

Sat on the porch of the meeting are Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro and Prime Minister Chris Hipkins. Alongside them are Chief Justice Helen Winkelmann, Commissioner of Police Andrew Coster, Chief of Navy David Proctor, Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier and chairman of the Waitangi Trust Pita Tipene.

Local MP and new government minister Willow Jean Prime got the job of holding an umbrella for Dame Cindy.

National’s Shane Reti has joined Hipkins and others on the porch of the whare.

Leaders on the porch of the meeting house during the Waitangi Day dawn ceremony.

The pre-dawn silence was broken only by prayer from those leading the service at the whare - and an early rising tui sounding off. Although from somewhere in the still-dark came a morning blast from a lone piper.

While overnight rain threatened to make this morning’s service a damp one, the weather lifted as people started to arrive.

 “Probably the duty of the church now is to pray for fine weather,” quipped Bishop Te Kitohi Pikaahu, who is leading the service.

The Māori Anglican Bishop of Tai Tokerau acknowledged New Zealand’s first female Prime Minister Dame Jenny Shipley, who is among the crowd, for initiating the dawn karakia in the 1990s.

Former Prime Minister Dame Jenny Shipley was publicly acknowledged by the Bishop of Tai Tokerau Rt Rev’d Te Kitohi Pikaahu.

The crowd listens to the messages of leaders on this year's Waitangi Day.

Waitangi National Trust chairman Pita Tipene opened the service with words of welcome and encouragement for those present to think ahead to the double centenary in 2040.

Te Runanga a iwi o Ngapuhi Phoebe Davis delivered a powerful message to the crowd: “Hold before us the words at Waitangi signed by Māori and Pakeha alike in 1840 to confirm their covenant.”

Far North Mayor Moko Tepania spoke a verse in Te Reo, Ta te Atua Tiaki.

It is an important moment for Tepania, who made history last year as the first Māori mayor of the Far North and today marks his first Waitangi Dawn Ceremony in the role.

Far North Mayor Moko Tepania speaks at the Waitangi Day dawn ceremony.

The crowd at Waitangi looks on as spiritual, political, and iwi leaders speak.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins’ prayer was short and simple - it called for an increase in knowledge and trust between those living in New Zealand, and for unity.

Shane Reti, speaking for National leader Christopher Luxon, followed as he read from the Book of Mormon a passage that also urged unity. Act’s David Seymour offered prayers for prosperity - although would be happy with affordability - and short speeches from politicians.

MP for Takanini, Dr Neru Leavasa’s prayer in Samoan remembered those who had died in the recent flooding event, as well as the families in mourning. There was a special prayer for today’s events at Waitangi and a call for the unity of all peoples.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins called for unity during his short address.

Chief of Navy David Proctor gave thanks to those who had made New Zealand their home with a prayer its people would “move together as one nation into our shared future”.

Police commissioner Andrew Coster’s prayer reflected the difficult past few years and a hope for “healing and restoration “.

A kaumātua disrupted the service with words of protest. He was pulled away by police who moved to block media from videoing.

Before the was removed from outside the marae, he demanded the national anthem be sung, to which the speaker on stage advised him it was going to be sung later.

The man was removed by security after standing to speak in a move that disrupted the dawn ceremony.

The man who described himself as an 82-year-old returned serviceman told those pulling him away that he “would have them” if he was a younger man.

The crowd burst into waiata to drown his words out but even as those gathered sang Whakaaria Mai, his protesting and shouting could still be heard.

A single acoustic guitar provided the only musical backdrop to the voices of those on and outside the marae as they, led by the Salvation Army, sang God Defend New Zealand.

And the end of the national anthem signals the conclusion of the 2023 Waitangi Day dawn ceremony. Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and the Chief Justice departed the whare nui with other leaders, dignitaries and the congregation in their wake.

It was the first Waitangi dawn ceremony for Auckland Salvation Army’s Alistair and Astrid Herring.

Auckland Salvation Army at Waitangi Day, from left: Trevor McLean, Alistair Herring and Astrid Herring.

Though they’ve been to several Anzac Day ceremonies in their time, they say this is their earliest start.

”It’s wonderful though, the experience of a lifetime,” Astrid said.

Seven-year-old Amokura Apiata has been to every Waitangi Dawn ceremony since she was born, minus last year due to Covid cancellations.

”It’s so nice to be back,” Ōhaeawai’s Lillian Tau said.

Ōhaeawai's Lillian Tau, Christian Apiata and Amokura Apiata at the Waitangi dawn ceremony.

PM’s hopes for future Waitangi Day

Speaking to media after the ceremony, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said he has found Waitangi Day to be a “positive experience” during his political career. The highlight for him this year, however, was the waka trip.

“I like to think when we are back here in 2040 to celebrate 200 years we’ll have a lot to be proud of,” he said.

Not only did he share his thoughts on Waitangi commemorations, but he also touched on his meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese later this week.

“I think we’re going to get on well.”

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins speaks to media after the dawn ceremony's conclusion.

Smith Marks, 12, of Whananaki, took advantage of the press conference set up for the Prime Minister.

With Hipkins five minutes out from speaking, Marks told waiting media he would get rid of Labour and National if he ran the country.

He said he would put his Whananaki neighbour Winston Peters in charge.

“I’ve hung out with Winston - he’s a good guy.”

Smith Marks, 12 of Whananaki, takes the chance to speak to media waiting for Prime Minister Chris Hipkins.

Waitangi Day first timers

For Clark Webb of Giingan Yiiliway Girrwaa from Gumbaynggirr country in Australia, this year is his first time at Waitangi.

Webb described the trip as being part of Giingan Yiiliway Girrwaa’s wider goal to share their culture as well as collect ideas on how to preserve it. The group is visiting 10 schools while in New Zealand to aid their mission.

”We’re strongly invested in the revitalisation of our language and culture [...] Unfortunately, our language is critically endangered.”

Webb said only 20 or so people speak their language proficiently.

”So part of this job is to come and see and learn how Māori people educate their children through their lens,” he said.

Giingan Yiiliway Girrwaa, with Clark Webb in the front row second from the left, are visiting Waitangi from Gumbaynggirr country in Australia.

The group opened New South Wales’ first bilingual school last year.

”We started with 14 kids last year, we have 52 this year. So it’s grown exponentially and so that’s about continuous improvement.”

Webb said Australia is yet to form a treaty between the state and the First Nations, one of the few settler-colonial Commonwealth nations not to have done so.

”There needs to be some serious investment and it’s really reparations for the damage that’s been done to our cultures and to our communities.”

Even global celebrities have made their way to Waitangi today. British comedian Greg Davies, who is holidaying in Northland, was spotted among the crowd.

Northern Advocate reporter Jaime Lyth snaps a photo with British comedian Greg Davies at Waitangi.

Davies is the writer and star of the critically lauded Channel 4 sitcom, Man Down. He is well-known for his role as the infamously psychotic Head of Sixth Form ‘Mr Gilbert’ in television show The Inbetweeners and as the host of the UK’s hilarious fib-telling show, Would I Lie To You.

The fun begins: Waka parade set to dazzle

The bridge across Waitangi is now pedestrian-only as our national day shifts to party mode.

On one side, Te Tii Marae is holding another all-day forum with a range of speakers amid food and souvenir stalls. On the other side, at the park area opposite the Waitangi Treaty Grounds are sound stages and fairground activities.

A flotilla of waka is making its way beneath the bridge before landing in front of Te Tii Marae. The waka parade - tipped to be one of Waitangi Day’s top spectacles - began at 9am and will be followed by a church service from 10am, and a 21-gun salute at noon.

Kaihoe (paddlers) have travelled from around the motu, as well as the Netherlands, Cook Islands, Australia and the US, to take part in the parade.

Ngatokimatawhaorua has appeared on the Waitangi River, paddling from the direction of Haruru Falls. A fleet of at least six waka has gone out to meet it.

Earlier the river echoed to the sound of chanting, putatara and karakia as the waka launched from the Waitangi boat ramp.

Horizon Brown holds Te Marino Pickering before boarding a waka.

One of Northland’s great spectacles is just wrapping up as a fleet of nine waka - including the great Ngatokimatawhaorua with about 80 paddlers on board - leaves Tii Beach after a spine-tingling display.

The waka was welcomed to shore by the wailing calls of kaikaranga and the sounding of putatara (conch shell trumpets).

The crowd cheered as Ngatokimatawhaorua, captained by Joe Conrad and Rutene Gabel, did a “drive-by” of the beach.

Earlier kaumātua recited karakia from the beach and the waka captains responded in kind.

The other waka paddled along the beachfront one by one to cheer and applaud.

Most years the paddlers disembark and perform mass haka on the beach. This year, however, the display coincides with high tide so there is no room for more than 300 paddlers.

The crew of Ngatokimatawhaorua are now paddling towards the tapu island of Motu Maire where they will later pay their respects.

An afternoon concert on the Treaty Grounds main stage will feature Hatea Kapa Haka, Kiwi music legends Troy Kingi and Don McGlashan, and more.

Hīkoi makes its way to Waitangi

A hikoi from Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Reinga) is on its way to the Treaty Grounds after a five-year hiatus. Leader Rueben Taipari was determined to revive the tradition.

The hīkoi got underway with a karakia performed by kaumātua Ned Peita.

The hīkoi of more than 100 people eventually reached the Treaty Grounds but the interdenominational church service is still underway at their planned destination, Te Whare Runanga. They quietly talked and sang before assembling at the flag pole instead.

Waitangi Day 21 Gun Salute kicks off

Tiahuia Turei of the New Zealand Defence Force cultural group.

The Royal New Zealand Navy band, led by Chief of Navy David Proctor, marched across the Waitangi Treaty Grounds as the beginning of the ceremonial Waitangi Day gun salute began.

Firing salutes grew from the naval tradition of a warship firing its empty cannon, demonstrating no hostile intent.

A trumpet sounded moments before the loud bellow of empty cannons could be heard as they fired from the Royal NZ Navy frigate Te Mana at anchor off the Waitangi upper grounds.

Royal NZ Navy frigate Te Mana at anchor off Waitangi.

A guard of honour at the Waitangi Day 21 Gun Salute.