The ever-popular waka flotilla has drawn a huge crowd of spectators at Waitangi this morning.
Over a dozen waka took to the water in a spectacular display, before the kaihoe were welcomed onto the beach by a kaikaranga line.
Te Tii Waitangi Marae spokesperson Isaiah Apiata told Breakfast that the significance of the waka flotilla is that it acknowledged the union between the Māori nation and the Governor-General.
“It’s through the coming together of Waitangi annually to bring out our waka, to celebrate... and also to celebrate our Māoriitanga.”
Special attention was paid to Ngātokimatawhaorua, the world's largest ceremonial waka built to commemorate the centennial of the signing of Te Tiriti in 1940.
The waka is 36m long, up to 2m wide and can carry 80 paddlers and 55 passengers.
It is named after a voyaging canoe that brought the first Māori settlers to Aotearoa.
Ngātokimatawhaorua was refurbished in 1974, with today's arrival marking the 50th anniversary of its return to the waters
Around the same time, a group of at least 700 people taking part in a hīkoi arrived at the Treaty Grounds.
For some, the journey started around 200km at the top of the North Island.
It was a relaxed vibe at the Upper Treaty Grounds as they moved towards the flagstaff, despite their message, which was opposing many of the new coalition Government's policies towards Māori.
At this morning's dawn ceremony at Te Whare Rūnanga, huge numbers turned out to listen to speeches and readings.
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