Join us live for Waitangi Day 2026, showcasing the dawn service at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in the early morning.
Later, once the sun has risen we will witness the waka parade.
Wednesday’s events
Commemorations began on Wednesday with the welcoming of the Kiingitanga onto Te Whare Rūnanga and the announcement of flood relief support for the regions affected through the severe weather events of late.
Tukoroirangi Morgan, spokesperson for the Kiingitanga, announced the support on Tuesday, explaining the funds raised from this year’s Tūrangawaewae regatta will be given to the iwi who experienced significant loss due to the severe weather events.
Meeting with the Prime Minister
The National Iwi Chairs Forum met with the Prime Minister during Tuesday’s events, a chance to express their concerns with the government and indicate the support they need in each region.
Ngāi Tahu were also in attendance at Waitangi, standing alongside Te Tai Tokerau despite great distances between them.
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Chair, Justin Tipa, spoke with Tahu News reporter Shakayla Andrews-Alapaki and said it is important for descendants of Ngāi Tahu to stand in solidarity with Te Tai Tokerau.
Thursday’s events
Day two at Waitangi saw the government and parliamentarians welcomed onto Te Whare Rūnanga.
It presented the masses at Waitangi with the opportunity to air their grievances to the government.
Eru Kapa-Kingi spoke on the taumata, saying despite Māori opposing the current coalition government, he says every party has an agenda against Māori.
“He aha tātou e pōhiri tonu nei i te pūngawerewere ki roto ki tō tātou whare,” he says.
Rāwiri Waititi took to the taumata kōrero, showing face in Te Tai Tokerau following on-going issues within Te Pāti Māori and the expulsion of Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and Tākuta Ferris last year.
It was an opportunity for him to speak on the issues that both Te Pāti Māori and te iwi Māori may have, addressing Eru Kapa-Kingi on sharing his perspectives on the marae ātea.
“E Eru tenā koe, tenā koe te whakatakoto i enā kōrero ki runga i te wāhi tika. kia tāria tātou te kōrero i wēna kōrero, me te mihi, koinei te wāhi tika mō enā kōrero.”
Leaders of political parties spoke on the taumata, sharing their aspirations for the year ahead.
The speeches started with the likes of Tama Pōtaka, Rāwiri Waititi, and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
Teanau Tuiono from the Greens announced to te iwi Māori who the party’s newest candidates will be for the Māori electoral regions, naming Tania Waikato for Waiariki, Hūhana Lyndon to return to Te Tai Tokerau and contest the seat currently held by Mariameno Kapa-Kingi, and lastly named former Te Pāti Māori candidate, Heather Te Au-Skipworth to contest the Ikaroa-Rāwhiti seat.
9:45 AM
Kua tere ngā waka nā Ngātokimatawhaorua i ārahi.
9:30 AM
Te Ao Māori News political reporter Mani Dunlop spoke with Jamie Tahana about Aotearoa’s current political climate and the state of the Waitangi commemorations.
9:05 AM
Pūkāea reporter Kereama Wright spoke with a tangata tiriti, Emily, who mentioned the importance of Māori culture in developing the next generations.
5.00 AM
The official Waitangi Day Dawn Karakia has begun.
4.50 AM
Ata mārie, nau mai ki ngā kōrero arorangi o te wā atu i Te Papa Whenua o Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Follow us here with live updates as we bring you coverage from Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
