Tauranga Moana iwi lead Waitangi Day celebrations at Hopukiore

The Te Reo Ratana Te Tautoru - Ratana Band opens the dawn ceremony welcoming guests.

A crowd of 300 onlookers made their way to Hopukiore to celebrate Waitangi Day.

A crowd gathers at Hopukiore for the start of the dawn ceremony on Waitangi Day, February 6. A light shower dusted the event, but quickly dried out.

The 6.30am service began with whakatau from tangata whenua and music provided by Te Re Rātana Te Tautoru - Rātana Band.

The Te Reo Ratana Te Tautoru - Ratana Band opens the dawn ceremony welcoming guests.

A light shower dusted the proceedings, but a good atmosphere kept the crowd in jubilant spirits as speakers from iwi across Tauranga Moana spoke about the importance of our founding document.

Ngāti Pūkenga Iwi chairwoman Kylie Smallman.

Speeches were delivered by Ngāti Pūkenga Iwi chairwoman Kylie Smallman, Ngāi Te Rangi chairman Charlie Tawhiao, Tauranga City Mayor Mahe Drysdale and Western Bay of Plenty Mayor James Denyer.

A lone person waits for the Waitangi Dawn Ceremony at Hopukiore to commence. Photo / David Hall

The ceremony was closed by karakia and Himene, Mā Te Marie and ended at 8am.