A hundred-strong taua, group of warriors, have led a powhiri for the Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy at Waitangi this morning.
It's the first time in decades dignitaries have skipped the lower marae at Te Tii - today's welcome taking place at the Treaty Grounds' Whare Runanga instead.
Ngāpuhi decided last year to take control of Waitangi commemorations from Te Tii after a particularly fractious 5th of February last year, the day when politicians usually visit the marae.
The Prime Minister follows tomorrow.
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