New Zealand / Te Ao Māori

Waitangi Day 2020 in pictures

13:25 pm on 6 February 2020

Large crowds gathered at Waitangi this morning to commemorate the 180th anniversary of the Treaty.

From the dawn service to popping manus, here is a look at how the day unfolded in pictures:

People started flooding into the grounds from about 4.30am. Photo: RNZ/Eden Fusitu'a

More than 2500 people gathered for the dawn service. Photo: RNZ/Simon Rogers

The front of the marae was at full capacity because of the large crowds. Photo: RNZ/Simon Rogers

Ready and waiting for the service to begin. Photo: RNZ/Simon Rogers

An early start meant people were lining up for coffee. Photo: RNZ/Eden Fusitu'a

A bit too early for this kid. Photo: RNZ/Simon Rogers

Large crowds at Waitangi. Photo: RNZ/Eden Fusitu'a

A bagpipe performance. Photo: RNZ/Simon Rogers

Green MP Golriz Ghahraman and Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson serving up breakfast. Photo: RNZ/Eden Fusitu'a

Green Party MPs Julie Anne Genter and Chloe Swarbrick serving up a storm. Photo: RNZ/Eden Fusitu'a

Green Party co-leader James Shaw cooking for hundreds of people that lined up for breakfast. Photo: RNZ/Eden Fusitu'a

It was a busy morning for the PM and ministers. Photo: RNZ/Simon Rogers

The queue at breakfast. Photo: RNZ/Simon Rogers

People enjoying breakfast. Photo: RNZ/Simon Rogers

A group of Americans from Minnesota travelled to Waitangi and joked that they'll be meeting NZ politicians serving them breakfast, before they've met American politicians. Photo: RNZ/Eden Fusitu'a

Rawiri Temapara Wiriana says Waitangi means everything to him. Photo: RNZ/Eden Fusitu'a

Baby Neve playing with boxes at Waitangi as dad Clarke Gayford watches her. Photo: RNZ/Simon Rogers

Baby Neve wanting to be in on the action as mum serves breakfast. Photo: RNZ/Simon Rogers

Clarke Gayford looking after baby Neve. Photo: RNZ/Simon Rogers

Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki has arrived at Waitangi with hundreds of his followers. Photo: RNZ/Simon Rogers

Brian Tamaki used his time on the podium to acknowledge the many breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi by the Crown since 1840, including the taking of Māori land. Photo: RNZ/Simon Rogers

A waka leaves Waitangi. Photo: RNZ/Simon Rogers

Popping a manu off Waitangi's one-lane bridge. Photo: RNZ/Simon Rogers

He stayed very composed. Photo: RNZ/Simon Rogers

A girl in the water as the waka leaves. Photo: RNZ/Simon Rogers