As things start ramping up in the North with Waitangi commemorations soon underway - dozens gathered at a significant, but nationally less known site to remember a key battle in the New Zealand wars.
Earlier this week, officials declared a pre-emptive state of emergency amid heavy rain, risking event cancellations - but the region escaped the worst of the weather, and everything's going ahead as planned.
State Highway One from the Brynderwyns to Waipu is closed until further notice - meaning a detour is in place - making the route north much longer than usual for those hoping to head up.
The chair of the Waitangi National Trust Board Pita Tipene spoke to Māni Dunlop.
