Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei says it was "an honour and a little scary'' to become the first woman political leader to speak at Waitangi.
Mrs Turei spoke during the powhiri for Labour and Green MPs at Te Tii Marae this afternoon.
Former Labour Prime Minister Helen Clark was given the opportunity to speak at the marae the day before Waitangi Day several years ago but was shouted down by protesters.
"I think I was given this honour because the Green Party has had such a consistent commitment to Maori issues.''
The Green Party's core messages were around "our kids, our lands and our oceans and how we can protect and sustain them are important issues for Maori''.