New Zealand / Northland

In pictures: Waitangi Day and dawn service, 2024

15:54 pm on 6 February 2024

Thousands have gathered at the Treaty Grounds to commemorate Waitangi Day.

Here are some of the best moments caught on camera.

Follow RNZ's live coverage throughout the day here.

Cars are bumper to bumper on the roads at Waitangi. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver

Ladi6 on the main stage with her brother-in-law and supporter Peter Pomale. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf

Ladi6 performs on the Treaty Grounds main stage. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf

Record crowds at Waitangi causing traffic jams. Photo: RNZ / Pokere Paewai

The great waka Ngatokimatawhaorua is returned to its whare, until next year. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf

A waka is carried out of the water. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf

Marchers on the hīkoi carry photo of those who have passed on. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf

Marchers on the hīkoi from Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Reinga) arrive at the Treaty Grounds. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf

The hīkoi arrives at Te Whare Rūnanga (the carved meeting house) at the Treaty Grounds. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf

Marchers on the hīkoi from Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Reinga) arrive at the Treaty Grounds. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf

The organiser of the hīkoi Rueben Taipari tells the crowds to "sustain this resistance". Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver

The hīkoi on the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver

The hīkoi on the Treaty Grounds. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver

The annual hīkoi from Cape Reinga arrives on the Treaty Grounds. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver

The hīkoi crossing Waitangi Bridge. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver

A woman who is part of the hīkoi to Waitangi holds up a sign saying "We are not protesters, we are protecters". Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver

The waka parade at Waitangi. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver

The waka parade at Waitangi. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver

Crowds on Waitangi Bridge watching the waka parade. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver

Children in the waka parade. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver

Hundreds of people standing on the beach, some wading into the water to greet the kaihoe in the waka parade. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver

Kaihoe (paddlers) perform a mass haka on the beach. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf

Joey Rapana (left) and his daughter Kailyn, 16 were part of the hikoi to Waitangi. He normally paddles in the waka parade but feels this year the hikoi is more important because he wants to show his concern about what he sees as government moves to diminish te reo. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf

Crowds are gathering on Waitangi Bridge for the waka parade. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf

Newly-weds Teeiariiti and Rawiri Winder at Waitangi. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf

Te Aati Mokoraka, kaihautu (captain) of the waka Mahanga, and his crew. The waka is used by Taiamai Tours and the Kaikohe-based Whakaoranga Recovery Hub. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf

Some of the hīkoi that has arrived at Waitangi on 6 February, 2024. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver

Some of the hīkoi that has arrived at Waitangi on 6 February, 2024. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver

RNZ's Mihirangi Forbes and Julian Wilcox presenting the Waitangi Day programme on 6 February, 2024. Photo: RNZ / Ella Stewart

People queue for coffee at the Treaty Grounds in Waitangi. Photo: RNZ

Hone Sadler at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Photo: RNZ

The sun rises over the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Photo: RNZ

The Treaty was an "act of love by Victoria for Māori" and committed the Crown to always seek the highest good for Māori, says Dr Alistair Reese. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver

Waitangi Day traffic. Photo: RNZ

Treaty Grounds at sunrise on Waitangi Day 2024. Photo: RNZ

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon speaks at the Treaty Grounds, Waitangi Day 2024. Photo: RNZ

Dawn at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Photo: RNZ

A boy on a horse south of Kawakawa. Photo: RNZ

Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro at Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Photo: RNZ

The Dawn Service at sunrise. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver