Waitangi in Pictures: Pōhiri to politicians as protests held at bay
Atutahi Potaka-DewesThu, 05 Feb
Pōhiri for the parliamentarians at Te Rūnanga Marae on the Upper Treaty Grounds.
Photo/PMN News
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Waitangi in Pictures: Pōhiri to politicians as protests held at bay
PMN News captures key moments from the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, 186 years after the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, amid ceremony and protest.
Atutahi Potaka-Dewes
Published
05 February 2026, 8:05pm
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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, party leaders and Cabinet ministers were welcomed onto Te Rūnanga Marae at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds on Thursday, where a four-hour pōhiri unfolded amid heightened tension.
Challenges were exchanged between the haukāinga and politicians, while protesters were prevented from entering the marae ātea.
PMN News journalists were on the ground to capture how the ceremony unfolded.
Minister for Māori Development, Conservation, Whānau Ora, and Māori Crown Relations, Tama Potaka, is supported by parliamentarians after speaking during the pōhiri formalities. Photo/PMN News
Ngā hoia o Ngāpuhi - warriors who performed the pōhiri to politicians. Photo/PMN News
Many people were draped in red blankets embroided with words referencing Te Tiriti o Waitangi, whenua (land), their iwi, and He Whakaputanga. Photo/PMN News
Green Party MP Teanau Tuiono has launched his Member’s Bill to recognise whales as legal persons with inherent rights. Photo/PMN News
The Green Party stands together for a waiata tautoko (supporting song). Photo/PMN News
Attendees watch on from the Upper Treaty Grounds lawn. Photo/PMN News
'Anau Mesui Henry with her husband Todd, co-owners of the Four Shells Kava Lounge located in the Auckland CBD, attend their first Waitangi commemorations. Photo/PMN News
Outgoing Labour MP Peeni Henare (standing, dark-coloured suit) delivers his final Waitangi speech as a politician. Henare announced his shock departure from politics on Wednesday. Photo/PMN News
Banners were hung up by protesters around the Treaty Grounds. Photo/PMN News
Protesters were prevented from entering the marae ātea (open space in front of the marae) during the pōhiri to the politicians. Photo/PMN News
Eru Kapa-Kingi, activist and son of Independent MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi, acknowledged the protesters saying he too was once a challenger on the outside, and now he challeges the "spider" face to face. Photo/PMN News
NZ First leader Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters delivers a fiery speech, starting off by saying, "We didn't come here to be insulted". Photo/PMN News
NZ First MP Shane Jones and the party took their leave before pōhiri protocol had formally ended. Photo/PMN News
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi speaks to media after the pōhiri. Photo/PMN News
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon speaks to media following the pōhiri. Photo/PMN News
Tino Rangatiratanga and He Whakaputanga flags fly high on the iconic Waitangi bridge. Photo/PMN News
Kete (woven bags) made from recycled plastic strips for sale. Photo/PMN News
The Royal New Zealand Navy Band rehearsing. Photo/PMN News