Luxon strives for unity amid Waitangi Day unease

New Zealand has welcomed in the country's national day, Waitangi Day, with a dawn service in the far north drawing thousands from across the spectrum of Kiwi life.

The governor-general, prime minister, defence force chiefs and religious leaders were among a record crowd to brave an early start at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

On a perfectly still summer's morning, the Waitangi National Trust staged the traditional non-denominational Christian service at the birthplace of the nation.

It was here, in 1840, that a treaty was struck between Maori chiefs and the British Crown, laying the foundation for New Zealand.

February 6 was first celebrated as the anniversary in 1934, and it became a national public holiday 50 years ago this year - in 1974.

Waitangi National Trust chairman Pita Tipene
Waitangi National Trust chair Pita Tipene has urged people to learn from history "to move forward".

Waitangi National Trust chair Pita Tipene urged Kiwis - currently engaged in a government-led debate to rewrite the treaty's principles - to understand their nation-building history.

"What this is all about is learning our history to move forward," Mr Tipene said.

"If our society is still coming to grips with Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi), He Whakaputanga is not known at all," he said, referring to the 1835 Declaration of Independence by Maori chiefs by its Maori name.

Mr Tipene said the 2024 dawn service attracted a record crowd.

The service featured prayer, waiata - or Maori song - and reflection, including by Prime Minister Chris Luxon, who read a passage from the Bible centred on unity.

"Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ," he said.

"If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices."

Waitangi Day
A record crowd has gathered in New Zealand's north to mark Waitangi Day.

That political unity Mr Luxon is striving for is currently lacking.

The right-leaning government is forging ahead with a policy program which includes de-emphasising the Maori language in government and abolishing Maori-specific services.

It also wants to strip power from the Waitangi Tribunal, the body established to investigate breaches of the treaty.

These changes have incensed many Kiwis, especially Maori, prompting the protest and unease that came to the fore this week in public meetings at the treaty grounds.

Mr Luxon has been widely panned for his speech on Monday, which did not engage in the debate and instead spelled out his government's broader agenda.

Jo Moir, political editor at NZ media outlet Newsroom, said his words "rang hollow for many in Waitangi", questioning whether he was open to Maori perspectvies.

NZ Herald senior writer Simon Wilson called the speech "outrageous".

"On an enormously significant occasion of state, the prime minister chose not to rise to it," he said.

Mr Tipene was among Maori leaders disappointed by Mr Luxon's unwillingness to engage.

Rahui Papa, associated with the Maori King, said Mr Luxon was looking past Maori in the crowd and "speaking to the cameras".

"That’s how these guys play," he said.

Other leaders from the coalition, David Seymour and Winston Peters, were roundly heckled and jeered at during their confrontational contributions on Monday.

Showing how polarising the debate has become, Mr Seymour was also booed at the normally serene dawn service.

Later on Tuesday, a hikoi - or Maori march - arrived at Waitangi after walking 200km from New Zealand's northern tip, Cape Reinga, picking up supporters on the way.

It is believed to be the largest such demonstration to arrive at Waitangi for four decades.

Elsewhere in New Zealand, many cities and towns hosted dawn services, community barbecues and festivals to commemorate.

Those in Waitangi lingering at the treaty grounds saw a 21-gun salute from the HMNZS Manawanui, stationed in the Bay of Islands, to honour the 184th anniversary of the treaty's signing.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store