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Source: Radio New Zealand

The people of Ngāpuhi deliver a powerful haka, welcoming parliamentarians onto the upper Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

The prime minister and other MPs were welcomed back onto the Waitangi Treaty Grounds on Thursday morning as the long weekend gets underway.

RNZ photographers and journalists were on the ground covering the events.

Here’s how the day unfolded in pictures.

The grounds on Thursday morning. MARK PAPALII / RNZ

The calm before crowds arrived. MARK PAPALII / RNZ

Banners put up by protestors around the Treaty Grounds. CRAIG MCCULLOCH / RNZ

Preparing for the pōwhiri at Waitangi. Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

People gather at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. GILES DEXTER / RNZ

Shortly before the pōwhiri. Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Many people were wearing red blankets emblazoned with words referring to Te Tiriti, whenua and He Whakaputanga. Pokere Paewai / RNZ

The pōwhiri. GILES DEXTER / RNZ

Protesters at Waitangi led by Wikitana Popata. CRAIG MCCULLOCH / RNZ

The pōwhiri. Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Politicians watch on. Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

The Prime Minister Christopher Luxon being welcomed alongside side NZ First leader Winston Peters. RNZ/Mark Papalii

The pōwhiri. MARK PAPALII / RNZ

Many donned Paraikete whero (Red blankets). MARK PAPALII / RNZ

Luxon and Peters talk at Waitangi. RNZ/Mark Papalii

Crowds at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds on Thursday. MARK PAPALII / RNZ

A Waitangi guest. MARK PAPALII / RNZ

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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