Pita Tipene speaks at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds on 6 February 2024. Photo: RNZ
Hundreds of people have made their way to the iconic Te Tii Marae for a dawn ceremony unveiling a refurbished wharenui on Monday.
The new renovations include a paved courtyard, strengthened shelters for manuhiri and a fresh coat of paint for the wharenui.
A feast was also been prepared overnight to feed those in attendance, which includes iwi leaders, local leaders and MPs.
The National Iwi Chairs Forum's first meeting will then be held shortly after the service, where politicians may face a tough crowd, Chairman of Waitangi National Trust Pita Tipene said
The agenda will likely include discussions on government initiatives like the Treaty Principles and Regulatory Standards Bills.
With Prime Minister Christopher Luxon absent, his coalition partners will front on their own.
Tipene said he expects politicians in attendance to face a fiery crowd.
"I think it's going to be a very hot reception," he told Morning Report. "There have already been comments made this morning about the government."
He extended that belief to ACT leader David Seymour and NZ First Winston Peters.
Seymour, who is the architect of the government's proposed Treaty Principles Bill, has confirmed he will attend Waitangi Day commemorations despite his hapū, Ngāti Rēhia, formally requesting he does not.
"I think what's been building up since the coalition government has come in, (their) 100-day plan, and what we've seen draw out over the last 12 months is going to create a lot of heat when the government is welcomed on the 5th (of February)," Tipene said.
But he encouraged discourse and debate over Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and said their main priority is keeping everybody safe.
"We're ready to hear that, and security is a top concern for us," Tipene said.
Other topics of discussion will include plans for the likes of housing and education, he said.
Tipene also said it was "fantastic" for Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka to turn up, and speakers expressed their empathy for the difficulties he faces working in between the National Party's "manifesto and representing his people".
He hoped that the event can achieve what its purpose always has been - to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
"We're hoping for exactly what we're gathering for, to remember and to commemorate Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the promise that was made here on the 6th of February 1840," he said.
"That's the focus, but at the same time, we want people to enjoy themselves and be safe."
Tipene said they are fixated on the wellbeing and improvement of circumstances for Māori, and that can only be achieved working side by side.
"That's what we come together for," he said. "It was reiterated in the speeches this morning...that we can do much, much more together than we can alone."
RNZ journalist Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira was also there, and heard the same messaging Tipene had relayed.
He said while topics such as the Regulatory Standards Bill and the Treaty Principles Bill were raised at Sunday' night's pōwhiri, others also stressed the importance of unity.
"I spoke with Bayden Barber last night; he's the chairperson for Ngāti Kahungunu, (and) his particular focus will be on Kotahitanga.
"That's coming off the back of meetings that were held all last year that were called upon by Kiingi Tuheitia to find a way for iwi and Māori in particular to become more unified in their response to the government."
He said there were also discussions around sovereignty and issues with whakapapa, which are still continuing today.
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