The pōwhiri for parliamentarians at the Upper Treaty Grounds during the Waitangi 2026 commemorations was a spectacle. Photo / Jason Dorday
The pōwhiri for parliamentarians at the Upper Treaty Grounds during the Waitangi 2026 commemorations was a spectacle. Photo / Jason Dorday
Each year, tens of thousands of people descend onto the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in the Far North.
From the first pōwhiri to the closing waka procession, Herald photographers Jason Dorday and Alyse Wright were there to capture the week marking the 186th signing of the country’s foundational document.
The pōwhiri for parliamentarians at the Upper Treaty Grounds during the Waitangi 2026 commemorations. Photo / Jason Dorday
A challenge on the Waitangi bridge during 2026 commemorations. Photo / Jason Dorday
An Ōtākou (Otago) flag outside Te Tii Marae during a pōwhiri for a Ngāi Tahu delegation. Photo / Jason Dorday
Ngāi Tahu leaders Edward Ellison and Justin Tipa inside Te Tii marae during a Waitangi pōwhiri. Photo / Jason Dorday
Māori queen Te Arikinui Ngā wai hono i te po is welcomed onto the marae at the Upper Treaty Grounds. Photo / Alyse Wright
Poised for a pōwhiri for the Kiingitanga at Waitangi. Photo / Alyse Wright
NZ First leader Winston Peters and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon approach the marae on the Upper Treaty Grounds. Photo / Jason Dorday
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, NZ First leader Winston Peters and Act leader David Seymour in formation. Photo / Jason Dorday
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's hongi with tangata whenua. Photo / Jason Dorday
The moment before chants broke out and karanga rang for the Parliamentarians welcome onto the marae. Photo / Jason Dorday
Despite near constant heckles, NZ First leader Winston Peters finished his speech with a grin. Photo / Jason Dorday
Waitangi would not be complete without a few United Tribes flags. Photo / Jason Dorday
NZ First minister Shane Jones arrives at Waitangi by boat flanked my his party members. Photo / Jason Dorday
Honour the treaty! Spectators become hecklers during Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's speech. Photo / Jason Dorday
Te Hina Kuku from Te Tai Tokerau dons a paraikete whero (red blanket), a symbol of Māori resistance and resilience against state injustice, at the Parliamentarians pōwhiri. Photo / Jason Dorday
Early morning joggers cross the Waitangi bridge during the Waitangi 2026 commemorations. Photo / Jason Dorday
A protestor who stayed put during the lengthy politicians' pōwhiri. Photo / Jason Dorday
Taiaha practitioners prepare for a big pōwhiri. Photo / Jason Dorday
Ngāpuhi elder Hone Sadler at the dawn ceremony on Waitangi Day. Photo / Alyse Wright
Hecklers persisted during the Waitangi Day dawn ceremony. Photo / Alyse Wright
A large crowd turned out for the dawn ceremony at Te Whare Rūnanga during Waitangi Day commemorations at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Photo / Jason Dorday
Crowds gather for the dawn ceremony at Te Whare Rūnanga during Waitangi Day commemorations. Photo / Jason Dorday
Crowds watch the waka ceremony at Waitangi during Waitangi Day commemorations including one man from the sea. Photo / Jason Dorday
Ngātokimatawhaorua, the world's longest waka, leads the waka pageant to Te Tii beach. Photo / Jason Dorday
Kaihatu Joe Conrad leading Ngātokimatawhaorua. Photo / Jason Dorday
Tens of thousands watch the waka ceremony on Te Tii beach. Photo / Jason Dorday
The waka ceremony approaches the shoreline where crowds wait. Photo / Jason Dorday
Crowds watching the waka ceremony at Waitangi. Photo / Jason Dorday
Wahine during the waka ceremony for Waitangi Day commemorations. Photo / Jason Dorday
The hīkoi Mana Mokopuna to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Photo / Jason Dorday
Rangatahi lead the hīkoi Mana Mokopuna to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Photo / Jason Dorday
Kia mau! Ready for the Kiingitanga to arrive. Photo / Alyse Wright
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon holds a media stand-up at Waitangi. Photo / Alyse Wright
Taiaha a key feature of the pōwhiri for the Kiingitanga at the upper waitangi grounds Photo / Alyse Wright
Greens co-leader Marama Davidson blows a kiss during a walkaround at Waitangi with Labour. Photo / Alyse Wright
Māori wardens outside of Te Tii Marae. Photo / Alyse Wright
Performers at the pōwhiri for judges, diplomats and local government. Photo / Alyse Wright
