The marae's chairman, Rihari Dargaville, said yesterday the marae were considering putting a halt on the powhiri for politicians, after protesters shouted down the Prime Minister at the weekend - adding to previous events at the marae, including jostling of both John Key and Helen Clark, and mud thrown at former National Party leader Don Brash.
However, Mr Key said while it was unfortunate that protesters had effectively "hijacked" his opportunity to speak, that did not mean the visits should stop, saying February 5 was an important day for the Government to come to Te Tii marae and account to the people there.
"My preference would be to be able to come on to the lower marae the day before Waitangi Day and give the Government's account of events and engage in debate." However, Labour Party leader David Shearer said politicians could always visit Te Tii marae on a less contentious day than the day before Waitangi Day.
"I think we need to think through this day so that the dawn service, which was so poignant and special, becomes the beginning of the Waitangi [celebrations] so we can carry that feeling through the rest of the day."
He also refused to commit to returning to Te Tii marae.
He said the day should be celebrated more, proposing New Zealand's honours be handed out on Waitangi Day rather than on Queen's Birthday or New Year's Day.
Visitor numbers seemed to be well down this year, Three hikoi and a confrontation by protesters who wanted to run the tino rangatiratanga flag up the Treaty Grounds' flagpole kept Maori wardens busy. Police lauded the wardens as unsung heroes.
However, many more celebration-goers enjoyed the festivities which included music, touch rugby, naval displays, food stalls and watching the ever-popular waka flotilla manoeuvre out in the Bay of Islands.
The annual haka on the beach and hauling in of Ngatokimatawhaorua, the country's largest waka, drew large, happy crowds.
