New Zealand's political leaders gathered at the Waitangi treaty grounds on Thursday to mark the eve of Waitangi Day, but the public was notably absent. Fewer than 100 people watched the leaders arrive, and only a handful heckled ministers, a stark contrast to the protests of previous years. In 2025, protesters turned their backs on government ministers and twice removed the microphone from Act party leader David Seymour, architect of the controversial treaty principles bill.
The subdued atmosphere reflects fatigue among Māori communities rather than support for the coalition government, which faces an election in November. Edward Ellison, a leader from the southern tribe Ngāi Tahu, said: 'People are tired. We’ve been beavering away on submissions, select committees … and the pace, rate and persistent aggressiveness on the treaty – it hasn’t lowered the passion – but there is that exhaustion.' Ngāi Tahu chose to attend Waitangi for the first time in years as a mark of solidarity with northern tribes.
Kassie Hartendorp, director of Action Station Aotearoa, said protests had subsided because the government had already shown Māori 'exactly who they are' and Māori were tired of their time being taken up. 'This coalition government largely doesn’t care what Māori think of them … if they did, we wouldn’t have had this absolute onslaught of anti-tiriti policies,' she said.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon acknowledged the atmosphere had 'sometimes been very heated' but said New Zealand must evolve in a way that empowers iwi and Māori while protecting national unity. Opposition leader Chris Hipkins called Luxon's speech 'a missed opportunity … to speak specifically to the theme of working together and bringing people together.' Ellison found the politicians' speeches 'underwhelming' and lacking a clear path forward.
On Friday, the mood shifted to celebration as tens of thousands gathered for festivities, including music, food, and community events. At the dawn ceremony, some booed Seymour as he delivered a prayer, but attention soon turned to the celebrations marking the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840.
