Ken Mair said the day was about children and "celebrating Whanganui and ourselves". Mr Mair has been variously titled an activist, a terrorist, a leader or a spokesman for the tribe.
"Today is about remembering what our people have done in the past and ensuring that we are as one with the river and our land and celebrating that," Mr Mair said.
Yesterday hundreds of people passed through the park, which is bounded by Somme Pde, Bates St and Market Place.
Schools came and performed, there was a mini-triathlon and entertainment and stalls through the day.
Te Oranganui Iwi Health Authority was there with advice, members could register with the Whanganui iwi and brochures about the Maori electoral roll option were given out.
There was free food on offer and food to buy.
Young people took the opportunity to have a dip in the river at lunch time and about 20 people stayed over on Wednesday night.
Yesterday was just the start of the four-day Raukotahi 2013.
Today a youth summit was to be held with speakers at Putiki Marae, followed by a dinner for about 200, marking 25 years of the annual Tira Hoe Waka canoe journey.
Tomorrow will be the Whanganui Marae Waka Ama Sprint Challenge and on Sunday there will be activities for children at Kowhai Park.