This year's Waitangi Day commemoration was among the best ever with well-behaved crowds and a healthy, peaceful exchange of views on controversial issues, organisers say.
Pita Paraone, chairman of the Waitangi National Trust, said a key observation was how people from different ethnic backgrounds and political beliefs came together and expressed their views on issues such as the Treaty settlement.
Before Saturday's commemorations at Waitangi, Mr Paraone had predicted a peaceful affair and he was proved correct.
He said considering it was not a long weekend organisers were happy with the turnout of more than 30,000 to the Treaty Grounds - although they had expected up to 50,000. He said the economic recession had played a role in keeping some people away.
On Maori Party co-leader Dr Pita Sharples' hope that the tino rangatiratanga flag would fly on the Treaty grounds next year, Mr Paraone reiterated earlier comments that the trust board had yet to make a decision on the issue.
On Saturday, thousands gathered on the foreshore, opposite the Te Tii Marae, to watch the waka spectacle involving about 20 canoes, some double-hulled and capable of seating 100 paddlers.
Tourists were especially impressed.
German Klaus Renkawitz had made a point of returning to the Waitangi and witnessing the waka karakia. "Two years ago, I was unhappy because I had to leave a day before the paddlers took to the waters," he said.
Welsh marine biologist Dr John Blissitt and his wife Sue, who own a home in Paihia, took advantage of the beautiful weather.
"It's a good display of Maori culture which we want to learn more about in order to fit among them," Dr Blissitt said.
Auckland pre-school teacher Shaz Hathaway came with Pakeha Treaty workers to support Network Waitangi, a Whangarei-based organisation that advocates for social justice and Treaty education.
Treaty grounds chief executive Jeanette Richardson said, although the turnout had yet to be finalised, more than 30,000 admissions had been counted as of yesterday morning.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Latest from Northern Advocate
'Say goodbye to each other': Dad allegedly threatened sons after Aramoana massacre
The man is facing 38 allegations of abuse on his children.