A passionate powhiri has been given to greet Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and other politicians onto the upper marae at Waitangi.
It's the first time politicians have been welcomed onto the upper marae, with political debate usually reserved for Te Tii Marae on the lower treaty grounds.
The shift comes after years of protests and controversy which left two former prime ministers choosing not to attend the ceremony.
It's hoped the new location will start a new trend on how the day is viewed, with less fighting and more celebrating.
The Prime Minister says any protests at Waitangi won't be a setback in the relationship between the Crown and iwi.
Ms Ardern will be the first female PM to speak from the porch of Te Whare Runanga today and says she isn't concerned about any possible protests.
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