Ngapuhi leader Sonny Tau has gone in to bat for protesters at the Waitangi Day dawn service, saying "you get nothing without protest in this country."
Mr Tau was speaking at the Dawn Service on behalf of his hapu and said he wanted to pay tribute "to those people called 'protesters.'
"I don't think they are protesters, they are people who express strong views. And despite what the views are, we need to be thankful that we have them because you get nothing without protest in this country."
He said he wanted to thank those who "strongly express their messages" but added he did not always agree with the methods used.
Mr Tau has had a difficult year and is due to face a further charge soon after he was caught with kereru last year and has pleaded guilty to charges of hunting and possessing the endangered bird.