Hundreds attend Waitangi dawn service

Following the service those who attended watched the sun rise on the Treaty grounds. Photo /...
Following the service those who attended watched the sun rise on the Treaty grounds. Photo / Regan Schoultz
Waitangi Day has started with a dawn celebration on the grounds of the Treaty.

It drew hundreds of people for the service at the upper Marae which marked the 176th anniversary of the signing in 1840.

Led by an elder, prayers were said before politicians took the stand and paid their respects to the Treaty and the country.

Among those who spoke were Labour Party leader Andrew Little, leader of the ACT Party David Seymore and Marama Davidson of the Greens.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce attended and spoke on behalf of the Prime Minister and the National party.

He spoke of the modern ways in which we represent the Treaty.

"There are some wonderful ways of presenting the Treaty in the modern context, graphics and digital technology and it struck me.. That this wonderful display.. was how it was and how it will be for the future."

He went on to say a prayer.

Mr Little gave praise to the Treaty and New Zealand.

Te Ururoa Flavell of the Maori Party meanwhile, spoke of issues that could only be resolved "face to face".

"We must also resolve so many challenges that we still face, it requires us to talk face to face and listen carefully.

"There is political capital to be made from tapping into people's fears about what they do not know.

We ask you all that you give us the strength to recognise the desire of some to divide us rather unite us as Treaty partners. We are a better nation when the Treaty of Waitangi is honoured," he said.

Mr Flavell went on to pray for Prime Minister John Key to "return to Waitangi" next year.

The service ended just before 6.30am to the sound of bagpipes, the rising sun and the raising of the flag.

- Regan Schoultz 

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