Maori warriors greeted the Auckland City Council on the beach at Auckland's Okahu Bay to celebrate Waitangi Day.
Wednesday was the 168th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, and the first time Auckland iwi, Ngati Whatua o Orakei, have invited the public to celebrate with them.
Councilors and council staff arrived aboard a boat, to reenact the arrival of Governor Hobson at Okahu Bay in 1841. Ngati Whatua then gifted Governor Hobson all of the land now known as Auckland's central business district.
National MP Jacqui Blue said she hoped Ngati Whatua and the Auckland City Council will make this an annual event.
"I am happy to be here. It's a great feeling, there is a lot of good will," she said.
Grey Moyle, from Auckland City Council spoke on behalf of Mayor John Banks who was unable to attend because he was recovering from shoulder surgery. Mr Moyle said Waitangi Day is a day of celebration for all New Zealanders.
Wellingtonian's views on the importance of the Treaty of Waitangi to the future of New Zealand.
Sarah, Technician, Wellington "It's important to follow through on the Treaty of Waitangi because it has equal rights for the Maori people and the people of New Zealand. But it's irrelevant to other very serious problems going on in New Zealand today."
Andy Lu, Technician, Wellington "I think in New Zealand the Maori people are more protected than other people. They can go fishing and get lobsters and maybe other people can't."
Kevin Hotu, Maori studies student, Wellington "If it weren't for the Treaty of Waitangi, I wouldn't be here. Today's society is based on the Treaty of Waitangi. I am a part of the future and my children are a part of the future."
Angela Frazer, Barista, Wellington "People only like it because it's a day off. I don't think even most people know what it is. I reckon it's just gonna disappear."
Jamie McLellan, Telstra Clear, Wellington "It was an agreement made a long time ago, and I know Maoris got ripped off back then. But a lot of compensation has been made. Now I think things are going a bit too far with Maori claims, and adequate compensation has already been made."
Greg Watson, Harvey Normans Salesman, Wellington "Unfortunately it's become a point of a lot of contention for so long, and I feel like it needs to be clarified before it can move forward."
Makere Derbyshire, Kaiwhakahaere, Wellington "I think it's very important in recognition of our indigenous people. Valuing a very unique culture that the rest of the world can also appreciate. We are percieved as leaders in recognising our people, on an international level."
Tony Cuneen, Retired, Wellington "Obviously it's been quite important in the past. Over the last 30 years there have been a lot of claims that I believe are justified. But I hope that doesn't continue going on for another 30 years."
Vayai, Skateboarder, Wellington "What's done is done, It's annoying watching them struggle over repairing past mistakes."
Janet Sikye, Medical Receptionist, Wellington "It's our founding document, and I hope it stays upheld. It recognises the people that were here before the people that now rule the country."
Tony Bengree, IT consultant, Wellington "I think it's an important expression of the identity of our country. I think once we get past the legal arguments, it will become more of a statement about the relationship between other cultures and people."
Mike Chandler, Unemployed, Wellington "It has no relevance because of our current democratic policies. Our government bases its policies on statistical information, not on what ethnicity you are."
Kat, Unemployed, Wellington "It's not really important to most people these days, these days it's just a day off work. It's like there's no meaning to it anymore. The only meaning it has is for the Maoris who were occasionally ripped off after it was signed."
"It brings the people of New Zealand together because we are a country of cultural diversity. We've got the people of the land, tangata whenua, Pakeha, we've got the people of the Pacific, the people of Asia, all living in harmony," he said.
Grant Hawke, from Ngati Whatua, was happy with the thousands of people who visited the festival on Wednesday.
Mr Hawke was part of the Bastion Point occupation in the 1970s - New Zealand's longest protest, lasting 507 days.
He said the Treaty of Waitangi is New Zealand's founding document and the start of a partnership between the Crown and Maori in 1840.
Most of the agreement, he said, had not ever been adhered to, making Maori feel it was a "tokenistic" gesture.
He felt legislation that has since been introduced had made the Treaty more complex and complicated.
The Treaty of Waitangi was signed on February 6, 1840 at Waitangi, in the far North of New Zealand.
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