Peace ousts normal fury at Waitangi

Families, fun and food took centre stage at Waitangi Day celebrations in Waitangi, prompting cheers from organisers tired of years of protests and tension.
Organisers of the three-day, sun-soaked celebration at Te Tii Waitangi Marae and Waitangi Treaty Grounds were ecstatic yesterday afternoon that the festivities had been peaceful, and were hopeful that harmony would continue today.
Police praised the behaviour of festival-goers and reported no arrests.
Yells of anger were this year replaced with cheers of kia ora as several-hundred Maori listened to discussions about Ngapuhi's controversial treaty claims and calls for a Maori parliament.
However, one marae events organiser, Kingi Taurua, was disappointed by the "very small attendance" compared with other years, which he put down to discontent among other iwi.
"Usually we have three or four sittings to feed everyone but we only had one sitting this year.
"Maybe it's because other tribes think Ngapuhi seems to be owning Waitangi Day ... I hope there's a change next year so that more tribes will be involved," he said.
He was pleased by the absence of protesters, a situation he credited to the Maori Party giving a voice to Maori concerns.
"This is a test for the Maori Party - if they perform well, the Maori people will feel satisfied and there won't be any protests," Mr Taurua said.
Treaty Grounds Waitangi Day organising committee chairman Pita Paraone, who attended celebrations at both the upper grounds and marae, was pleased with the festive atmosphere.
Asked if he was surprised at the lack of protest on Saturday and yesterday, Mr Paraone said, referring to Te Tai Tokerau MP Hone Harawira, that the only surprise was that "those who were aligned to the protest movement in previous years have been given leadership roles and they've taken up their responsibilities."
However, Mr Paraone said protesters could still show up today.
Far North police area commander Mike Rusbatch said the behaviour at Waitangi had been "very good".
"There's a positive feeling going on. We've got good weather and people seem to be enjoying the festivities," Mr Rusbatch said.
However, he expected protesters would be more visible today.
Prime Minister Helen Clark arrived at Waitangi's Copthorne Hotel around 4pm yesterday and was quizzed by journalists about the cartoons of Muhammad printed in two New Zealand newspapers.
The brief press conference barely touched on Waitangi Day.
Ms Clark avoided Te Tii Waitangi Marae, where she was jostled by protesters two years ago.
The Prime Minister also attended Governor General Dame Silvia Cartwright's reception at the Copthorne Hotel last night.
The drinks-and-nibbles night brought together Northland Maori leaders, international visitors and politicians.
Guests enjoying the wine and savouries included New Zealand First leader Winston Peters with his brothers Jim and Wayne, Whangarei Mayor Pamela Peters and Mangonui businessman Wayne Brown.
Ms Clark was to have held a breakfast at Waitangi's Copthorne Hotel this morning before walking around the Treaty Grounds chatting to Maori Health Expo stall-holders.
She was scheduled to leave Northland mid-morning to attend Waitangi celebrations in South Auckland.
Other well-known faces seen at the Treaty Grounds included National leader Don Brash, who walked onto the marae on Saturday without a murmur of protest, Tuhoe's Tame Iti, One Tree Hill tree-chopper Mike Smith and veteran activist Titewhai Harawira.
Former Te Tai Tokerau MP Dover Samuels kept a low profile, unlike his successor, former Waitangi Day protester Hone Harawira.
Mr Samuels said the lower marae had been full of "Maori Party propaganda" and he was not interested in being their cheerleader.
Today, the dawn service was to be held at the Treaty Grounds, followed by a full itinerary of sports events, waka races, a church service and music.
Up to 30,000 people are expected during the three-day event.