PHOTOS: Waitangi Day powhiri for Prime Minister and MPs

Titewhai Harawira, Hinerangi Puru chatting to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, and Naida Glavish.

There was peace, aroha, and hangi at this year's pre-Waitangi Day powhiri.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and a raft of other MPs from various parties were welcomed with a powerful powhiri to Te Whare Runanga, the carved meeting house, at the Upper Treaty Grounds yesterday.

The day is said to be one of the most peaceful pre-Waitangi Day powhiri to date.

There was no sign of protest - although many acknowledged the importance of protest - and after the formalities were concluded everyone was able to tuck in to kai.

Photographer John Stone captured these images.

Warriors stood at the boundaries as dignitaries were welcomed on to Te Whare Runanga.

Wiremu Puriri (right) greets Minister of Regional Development Shane Jones.

Te Kapehu Whetu students Tetahi Eruera, Hadassah Wharawhara and Geormas Phillips-Brown

Minister of Regional Development Shane Jones, Deputy Prime Minister and New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, and Te Tai Tokerau MP Kelvin Davis.

Te Poro Hau and Selwyn Clarke who is the last surviving member of the Maori Battalion A Company.

Titewhai Harawira, Hinerangi Puru chatting to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, and Naida Glavish.