Waitangi Day 2025 live updates: PM Christopher Luxon faces questions about his treaty grounds absence, Parliament pōwhiri poised to return to Te Tii marae
Ngāpuhi leaders are signalling the potential return of Waitangi’s pōwhiri for Parliamentarians to the newly renovated Te Tii Marae after yesterday’s politically charged display.
It comes as this morning’s Waitangi Day dawn service featured a strong political tone with one speaker referencing division caused by the Treaty Principles Bill as its architect, Act leader David Seymour, sat listening alongside the thousands that travelled to the Treaty Grounds before daybreak.
Normally the Prime Minister would participate but Christopher Luxon is this year spending the day at Ōnuku Marae near Akaroa. He’s due to speak to media at the end of his visit, which will be livestreamed at the top of this article.
One of the first engagements in this year’s Waitangi celebrations was another dawn ceremony to mark the completion of significant renovations to the 101-year-old wharenui on the Lower Treaty Grounds, its full name Te Tiriti o Waitangi 1840.
Situated by land where He Whakaputanga (Declaration of Independence) was signed in 1835 and where chiefs debated whether to sign Te Tiriti five years later, Te Tii Marae was home of discourse between politicians and manawhenua during the annual Waitangi celebrations.
In 2018, it was decided the official pōwhiri for Parliament MPs should move to the meeting house, Te Whare Rūnanga, on the Upper Treaty Grounds following clashes between local hapū members, politicians and journalists.
Story continues after live blog
Kaiwhakahaere of South Island iwi Ngāi Tahu, Justin Tipa, delivers speech, as PM welcomed to marae
Tom Dillane
Bailey Brannon
Seymour speaks from charter school in Bombay, Auckland
Bailey Brannon
Act leader David Seymour spoke today outside St Stephen’s School - a charter school in Bombay in the Auckland region.
When asked about his microphone being removed during his speech at Waitangi Treaty Grounds yesterday, Seymour said he was always careful not to blame a group for the actions of one person.
“The person who did that is responsible for their actions,” he said.
“Everybody else was trying to listen and [my speech] went up on YouTube anyway and was seen by far more people than that guy.”
When asked about the latest on the Treaty Principles Bill, the Act leader said that by looking to Parliament to discuss the Treaty, people were buying into the idea, whether they were for or against the bill.
“That Parliament is the right place to have this debate. We are not a partnership between two backgrounds, we are all Kiwis equal,” he said.
“That process is very positive.”
Seymour said the charter school policy gave St Stephen’s School/Tipene a new life.
“School is something people aren’t going to but here you have got a group of people passionate about their school and that is what charter schools allow,” he said.
The Epsom MP told the waiting press pack he wasn't trying to politicise his relationship.
“But I’m very lucky to be in love with a smart businesswoman with a big heart.”
Seymour said his fiance occasionally brings up his promise to give up politics if he found the right person.
“Sorry to my political opponents, I’m sticking around.”
Act MP and Children’s Minister Karen Chour said her great great great grandfather was the headmaster when the school first opened in 1947.
“I’m really proud to be standing here and setting the example he set back in the day.”
Seymour said the hate crime laws New Zealand currently had were “perfectly adequate”.
“I would be looking pretty carefully at any idea that introduces subjective laws,” he said.
“The problem with hate is that it is hard to define hate and the people who charge hate can end up being bigger bullies than the people they are supposed to be stopping.”
35,000 gather at West Auckland's Parrs Park
Bailey Brannon
Te Pati Māori MPs, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi,Labour deputy leader Carmel Sepuloniand Auckland councillor Kerrin Leoni addressed the boisterous crowds.
Sepuloni said the country was at a crossroad’s and New Zealand had to stand together.
The last two political polls have Labour ahead of National.
Leoni said Auckland Māori also had an opportunity at the local body elections to make their voices heard.
The mood was cruisy as the crowds enjoyed the sunshine and music.
The day started at 9am with visitors invited to a powhiri at Hoani Waititi Marae.
Event organisers said there had been no major incidents, though traffic around Parrs Park was busy
PM praises speech of Justin Tipa from Akaro
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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon heaped praise on the speech of Ngai Tahu Kaiwhakahaere Justin Tipa at Onuku Marae near Akaroa today.
“We’ve got massive alignment around our values and I think the way we want to work going forward,” said Luxon.
Asked if he disagreed with anything Tipa said in his speech, Luxon couldn’t fault it.
“There was a lot in Justin Tipa’s speech that I fully agree with. I thought the principles of what he talked about I could fully identify with,” said Luxon.
Asked about Dame Naida Glavish’s “disappointment” that Ngai Tahu was hosting the Prime Minister, Luxon said he’s been to Waitangi the past two years and his absence this year is not without precedence.
“Former Prime Ministers, whether it’s been Helen Clark, John Key, others – Bill English, hasn’t come to Waitangi each and every year and I’ve only been in politics for four years but I came into it with a view having been very impressed by the fact, watching Bill English go to another iwi and giving Waitangi Day a different dimension and perspective,” said Luxon.
“It doesn’t preclude me from going to Waitangi – I hope to be back there,” said Luxon.
Ngai Tahu Kaiwhakahaere Justin Tipa defended the attendance of the Prime Minister.
He said that the iwi had invited the Prime Minister and the Governor General – as they do most years. He was honoured that they accepted.
As for a message to ACT leader David Seymour in regards to the Treaty Principles Bill?
“I’ve got nothing to say to Seymour,” said Tipa.
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Christopher Luxon speaks at Ōnuku Marae
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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s speech has been interrupted by pro-Palestine protestors.
John Minto is ignoring pleas by Ngāi Tahu to put his megaphone down while the PM speaks.
During his speech Luxon reaffirmed that National would not support the Act Party's Treaty Principles Bill.
"National will not support the bill and it will not become law,” Luxon told the crowd.
The statement drew cheers from the crowd.
As rain begins to fall, Luxon's speech concludes with a rendition of Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi.
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Thousands watch waka ceremony
Todd Murray
The waka ceremony is taking place at Waitangi.
As the final waka passes by the beach, a protest group walks by on the road outside Te Tii Marae towards the Treaty Grounds.
Protestors are beating a drum and holding United Tribes and Tino Rangatiratanga flags.
Thousands of people are lining the shore to watch the ceremony.
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'The Prime Minister needs to be here'
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Prominent Māori leader Pita Tipene said he was disappointed PM Christopher Luxon chose not to attend Waitangi this year.
After describing the coalition government's relationship with Maori last year as like an "awkward first date", the Chairman of the Waitangi National Trust said things were progressing.
"I think we're a lot more comfortable," Tipene said. "But, of course, some of the main players didn't turn up.
"There was a description in the service that it was like a marriage and a divorce.
"So certainly one of the main partners just wasn't here at all.
"As I've said, the Prime Minister needs to be here."
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Church president's speech more about PM than him, says Seymour
Todd Murray
Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, David Seymour addressed Methodist Church President Te Aroha Rountree’s speech, which referenced the hīkoi and the hundreds of thousands of submissions on the Act leader’s Treaty Principles Bill.
Seymour said he believed Rountree’s speech was more about the Prime Minister than him.
“It really was a little bit like, in my view, a backbencher’s speech from a left-wing politician," he said.
"I heard it all but there wasn’t anything new there.
“Ultimately, people will be judged on what they say and if they wonder why church attendance is in free fall and people are turning away from Christianity, according to the latest Census, it’s because people try to politicise things like that.”
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David Seymour is surrounded by police and the Dignitary Protection Service (DPS) at all times.
Fourteen of them were at his media standup yesterday.
Ebba Strand
As David Seymour left the marae grounds, activist and artist Tame Iti shouted objections, walked about ten metres behind the Act leader as he left.
Dawn service has ended
Ebba Strand
The dawn service has ended. The VIPs including the politicians are now vacating the meeting house.
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Bishop Pikaahu announced his young whanaunga (relative) as today’s anthem singer, adding she had finished second in the Voice Australia singing competition, received with amused awe from the crowd.
Ebba Strand
People standing on the Treaty Grounds front lawn are holding United Tribes and tino rangatiratanga flags. There is a sign reading “Together for Te Tiriti".
Tame Iti is here.
Ebba Strand
Several prayers and blessings will round out today’s dawn service. It will conclude with the crowd singing the national anthem before moving to the flag raising ceremony.
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No sign of Winston Peters
Ebba Strand
The official programme for the dawn service lists the Deputy Prime Minister as one of the speakers. However, there has been no sign of Winston Peters this morning.
Peters is set to relinquish the deputy title and pass it to David Seymour at the end of May, as agreed to in the coalition agreement.
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Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad called on people to listen to young people who had “boundless potential”.
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The first glimpses of daybreak are slowly lighting the skies above Waitangi. A few clouds hinted at the expected overcast conditions this morning before the sun was forecast to break through later this afternoon in what had been a largely stunning week of weather in the Bay of Islands.
David Seymour delivers speech to silent crowd
Ebba Strand
Act leader David Seymour said one of the best reminders of why we loved the land was the stunning backdrop of the Bay of Islands.
He said it was only through respect that New Zealand would reach its potential and become the “true New Zealand”.
The crowd was largely settled during Seymour’s address. One faint “boo” could be heard from the masses on the Treaty Grounds.
No one clapped for David Seymour as he finished his speech, as they had done for others.
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National’s Dr Shane Reti gave a Bible reading.
Chris Hipkins speaking
Ebba Strand
Labour leader Chris Hipkins, now speaking, told the crowd he hoped the spirits of those who signed the Treaty to lead us forward and assist in celebrating the country’s differences.
“May we increase our trust in one another and our understanding of one another,” Hipkins said as he called for a more united society.
Chief Justice Winkelmann speaking
Ebba Strand
Chief Justice Winkelmann is now speaking, stating the Treaty calls on the country to come together.
Methodist Church President draws applause after recalling comments by Luxon
Ebba Strand
Methodist Church President Te Aroha Rountree recalled comments from Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at last year’s Waitangi dawn ceremony when he spoke of how it was difficult to interpret how the Treaty applied to modern-day New Zealand.
Rountree disagreed, saying the Māori chiefs who signed sought New Zealand’s subjects living in community with one another, received by murmurs of assent from the crowd.
She also made a reference to the Treaty Principles Bill, noting that changes to contracts require both parties’ agreement. Of the bill, Rountree said it seemed the Crown had “filed for divorce” while Māori were “blissfully unaware”.
Her comments roused a sleepy crowd who broke into applause. David Seymour, the architect of the bill, didn’t appear to give any reaction to Rountree’s comments, which included describing his bill as “masquerading as equality for all”.
Referencing Luxon’s commitments to improve outcomes for Māori and non-Māori, Rountree said it was hard to see how that could be achieved given the poorer social outcomes more commonly experienced by Māori communities.
“If ever there is a time for humility and kindness, it is now.”
She noted how the prophetic voices are not often found in politicians or even church leaders but instead those seeking to honour the Treaty.
The crowd gave another round of applause upon Rountree’s conclusion.
Prayers to be read
Ebba Strand
Prayers will soon be read by several VIPs including Chief Justice Helen Winkelmann, political leaders, chiefs of the Defence Force, the Police Commissioner, the Race Relations Commissioner and representatives of Fire and Emergency, Local Government NZ and St John.
Ebba Strand
The English and Māori translations of the Treaty of Waitangi are being read by Far North mayor Moko Tepania, Ngāti Hine’s Mere Mangu, James Busby descendent Jane Fletcher and local hapū member Dr Anne Baker.
Ebba Strand
Ebba Strand
Several members of various churches are making brief statements honouring Waitangi Day and its relevance, including Reverend Rose Luxford of the Presbyterian Church, Reverend Tara Tautari of the NZ Methodist Church and Northland Anglican Archdeacon Katene Eruera.
Reverend Pheobe Roaf of the Episcopal Church in West Tennessee in the United States is giving a reading from the Book of the Prophet Micah.
Ceremony opened by Waitangi National Trust chairman
Ebba Strand
The ceremony was opened by Waitangi National Trust chairman Pita Tipene with a whakatau (welcome).
He thanked those who were set to offer words of wisdom during today’s service.
Tipene acknowledged the local hapū and said the essence of the land sat with the local people.
He reflected on the words of his famous ancestor Kawiti, who featured heavily in the northern wars with the British: “Hold fast to your faith.”
Northland bishop Reverend Te Kitohi Pikaahu, joined by Reverend Tamiana Thrupp from the Māori Synod of the Presbyterian Church, will continue proceedings.
Several members of various churches are making brief statements honouring Waitangi Day and its relevance, including Reverend Rose Luxford of the Presbyterian Church, Reverend Tara Tautari of the NZ Methodist Church and Northland Anglican Archdeacon Katene Eruera.
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Officials of New Zealand’s Defence Force are taking their place on the meeting house mahau (verandah) as the crowd waits for other VIPs who are about to be welcomed on.
Ngapuhi elder Hone Sadler is leaving the delegation on which features Act leader David Seymour and Northland’s Dr Shane Reti, an MP for National.
They are followed by Labour leader Chris Hipkins and Green co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.
Act MPs Cameron Luxton and Nicole McKee have also just joined the ceremony.
Hundreds of people are gathered on the lawn in front of the marae watching proceedings on a big screen.
Hundreds gathering for the dawn service
Ebba Strand
Hundreds of people are gathering outside Te Whare Rūnanga on the Waitangi Treaty Grounds for the annual Waitangi Day dawn service.
Conditions are typically cool but not as chilly as previous years. Powerful floodlights illuminate the meeting house and the hundreds seated in plastic chairs in front.
Normally plagued by traffic woes, queues were minimal about 4am with organisers putting on regular buses from a nearby parking station to ensure those travelling in were not held up too long.
Poison in the ears: Seymour, Jones and the battles of Waitangi
Vera Alves
"It’s the David Seymour show. No, wait, it’s the Shane Jones show!"
Story continues
It led to an end of some Prime Ministers refusing to attend Waitangi celebrations in Waitangi - until Prime Minister Christopher Luxon this year - and a more settled pōwhiri that was traditionally held the day before Waitangi Day.
At Monday’s dawn service, the prospect of formal events moving back to Te Tii was raised and later endorsed by Ngāpuhi NZ First Minister Shane Jones as he condemned what believed had been a “circus” pōwhiri yesterday.
Chief among Jones’ concerns were the actions of Ngātiwai leader Aperahama Edwards who twice removed Seymour’s microphone as the Act leader gave a strongly-worded address to a crowd that protested his kōrero by turning their backs to the future Deputy Prime Minister as he spoke.
It could have been much worse, it’s understood Ngāpuhi leaders discussed whether the Parliamentarians should be welcomed on before immediately being walked off, which would have caused significant reaction. The proposal was not acted on.
Amid threats of pulling future funding for the Waitangi National Trust, Jones said he believed the pōwhiri proved it should return to Te Tii Marae.
“If you want a circus, we need to move it back down to the bottom marae.”
Far North mayor Moko Tepania, who is of Ngāpuhi, thought returning the pōwhiri to Te Tii would probably occur, leaving Te Whare Rūnanga for events such as the dawn service.
“But that’s up to our people to decide,” he clarified.
Waitangi National Trust board chairman Pita Tipene was one of the people central to discussions about moving the pōwhiri from Te Tii but today said it should return as early as next year.
“Now that the refurbishments have been had, I think we’re ready to have the conversations to move, certainly some aspects, [to Te Tii].
“On February 5, 1840, that’s where all the discussion and debate was held.”
His comments came after the conclusion of the dawn service marking the 185th year since the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
The service was typically marked with prayer and readings from members of various churches, political leaders, public service leaders, Defence Force officials and representatives of other groups like Fire and Emergency and St John.
Despite a crowd of thousands waking early for the 5am start, there were noticeably fewer people than was observed last year, falling well short of expectations 50,000 might converge on the Treaty Grounds.
Some speakers involved in the traditionally a-political event did wade into the politics of the day, namely Methodist Church President Te Aroha Rountree who made clear references to Seymour’s Treaty bill.
A sympathetic audience welcomed Rountree’s assessment that the bill represented the Crown filing for divorce from a “blissfully unaware” Māori.
Her kōrero also featured condemnation of Luxon’s speech at last year’s service.
Seymour, who sat without showing any obvious reaction during Rountree’s address, gave a short speech but focused on New Zealand’s potential without direct reference to his bill.
After the service, Seymour told reporters Rountree’s comments were akin to a “backbencher’s speech from a left-wing politician”.
“I heard it all but there wasn’t anything new there,” he said.
“Ultimately people will be judged on what they say and if they wonder why church attendance is in free-fall ... it’s because people try to politicise things like that.”
Tepania recalled how Ngāpuhi elder Hone Sadler, who he was seated next to during the service, had made mention of how the kōrero seemed more political this year.
However, Tepania maintained it had been incorporated in a respectful manner.
Tipene acknowledged the political kōrero was “a bit more explicit” in today’s service but he endorsed Rountree’s divorce analogy.
“Certainly one of the main partners just wasn’t here at all and as I’ve said, the Prime Minister needs to be here.”
This year’s Waitangi was Tipene’s last as trust board chairman and he admitted he was “somewhat relieved” 2025’s celebrations had concluded without excessive disruption.
“We’ve been able to reflect on Waitangi 185 years [on], we were able to hear each other and have the conversations that are necessary for nation-building.”
Asked if both Māori and the Crown’s representatives heard each other, Tipene responded: “I think people listened to each other, but maybe they didn’t hear.”
Two notable absences from this morning’s service were Jones and his party leader Winston Peters.
In the programme for the service, one of the people listed as set to speak was Deputy Prime Minister Peters, who would be the most senior Government representative in Luxon’s absence.
The Herald understands Peters had already left Waitangi but Jones was expected to visit the Treaty Grounds later today.
Tipene confirmed Peters had been supposed to attend and chairs had been reserved for the pair on Te Whare Rūnanga’s mahau [verandah].
He said he didn’t know why Peters hadn’t attended the service.
The Herald has requested comment from Peters’ office.
Live coverage of Waitangi’s Dawn Service provided by Whakaata Māori
Adam Pearse is a political reporter in the NZ Herald Press Gallery team, based at Parliament. He has worked for NZME since 2018, covering sport and health for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei before moving to the NZ Herald in Auckland, covering Covid-19 and crime.