Henare O'Keefe and whanau from the marae lead enthusiastic participants towards Clive where they received a rousing welcome from Te Aute College students, local dignitaries and kaumatua.
He was happy with the positive vibe and said a renewed connection was the most important thing people could take away.
"The momentum is absolutely awesome, it was started by Ngahiwi [Tomoana] but the enthusiasm waned and we just revived it - what I like most is the different races, creeds, colours and how they come together.
"By the time we get to Clive, they will be bosom buddies, people are exchanging phone numbers it's more than a Treaty, it's about being together on this significant day in our history."
It was the first time many had laced up their shoes for the occasion, including taekwondo instructor Ben Evans, who featured in the 2015 Flaxmere Hero's calendar.
Mr Evans brought enthusiastic young students Nico Newson and his sisters, Shayne-Lee and Shakira.
"It's the first time we have done this, we wanted to represent our [taekwondo] team - it's about all of us doing something as a group," Shayne-Lee said.
There were other first timers too, such as 10 Soloman Islanders who are in Hawke's Bay for six months working at Mr Apple.
Group leader Andrew Rotoatu said Waitangi Day was a totally new experience for them - a highlight was seeing their first Kiwi haka.
"We heard it is a time that people in New Zealand show respect ... it will be beautiful for us, we are very excited," he said.
As they snaked their way along the roadside, there were breaks where the deep groan of a horn broke through the gathering.
It was a sound unfamiliar to some, but held a great deal of spiritual meaning to the man who carried it in a black case slung over one shoulder.
Danny Richardson, from Christian organisation Eagle 4 New Zealand Ministries, said the instrument was a shofar, which originated in Israel.
"It's for what you call watchmen and when you blow it, it's like the word of God going out, his heart, his love," he said.
It has been 175 years since a meeting of representatives from the British Crown and more than 500 Maori chiefs in Waitangi, Northland, to sign what is considered to be New Zealand's founding document.
A re-enactment of early settlers landing at Farndon Park in Clive went ahead as usual yesterday, however they were unable to sign the Treaty of Peace and Unity due to high winds.
Hawke's Bay Genealogists dressed up for the occasion as they have done for the past 16 years, while Nga Tukemata O Kahungunu Waka offered free rides on the river all day.
