KEY POINTS:
While rain has been pouring down heavily at Waitangi the 167th Treaty commemorations have been so far peaceful.
There was no need for the fairly large number of Police staff and Maori wardens to intervene at any point when about 600 activists took part in the hikoi to the Treaty Grounds at about midday.
Politicians Helen Clark, Hone Harawira and Georgina te Heuheu pointed out that this is the second year of peaceful Waitangi commemorations and are hopeful that this might be a turning point.
PM Clark believes this is partly due to improved socio-economic conditions for Maori.
Te Heuheu and Harawira think the representation of the Maori Party in parliament is another major reason for the peaceful atmosphere.
Maori Party MP Hone Harawira called for a Treaty Commissioner, similar to the role of a Children's Commissioner, and is hoping for support from MPs from other parties.
"Beat Retreat"
Heavy rain which began yesterday and caused the Navy to cancel its "Beat Retreat" on the Treaty House grounds continued today, leading Prime Minister Helen Clark to shorten her walkabout.
Miss Clark was to have visited the sports ground and beach area but as the rain drove in across the Treaty House grounds and the nearby Hobson Beach, Miss Clark reduced her walk to a visit to Treaty of Waitangi educational caravan.
Shortly before midday she flew out from Kerikeri on an airforce plane for Auckland where she will attend further Waitangi Day events.
National leader John Key also returned to Auckland today with Aroha Ireland, the 12-year-old girl from McGehan Close, Owairaka Auckland referred to by Mr Key as a "mean street" inhabited by New Zealand underclass during his State of the Nation address in Christchurch last week.
When he visited the street on Saturday he made a spontaneous suggestion that the girl travelled to Waitangi with him in his ministerial car.
The bad weather was predicted to continue for the rest of today and the Navy said if the rain did not stop the "Beat Retreat" would be cancelled for the second time.
Navy spokeswoman Lieutenant Commander Barbara Cassin said without the Navy band the "Beat Retreat" could not go ahead and the band was unlikely to take its instruments out in such appalling weather.
Hint of protest
As the weather threatened to have the biggest say in the celebrations, Waitangi Day began quietly today with only a hint of the protest which has marred previous commemorations.
Nga Puhi elders had issued firm instructions the dawn service at the Whare Runanga on the Treaty House grounds at 5am today was to be a church service and not a venue for political debate or comment.
Two protesters who tried to make their point were quickly escorted out of the Whare by Maori wardens as police stood by as backup.
"This is not the place for this," said one kaumatua as Wayne Ripia was escorted out.
"Would you give up your land for two ticks?" Mr Ripia asked National party leader John Key who sat at the front of the service.
"I'm done, I'm done, sweet as," he added as he was escorted out.
Outside the meeting house Mr Ripia said his action was about freedom of speech.
"But it's not that free, aye?"
Another protester asked why the "poor bloodlines of the world are not in the Bible?"
"I ask God please come and show us. Tell us the truth," she said as she was removed out.
The two protests lasted about 40 seconds and the dawn service then continued uninterrupted.
As the wind howled round the Whare Runanga, Mr Key said Waitangi Day was the most precious day in Zealand history.
"It's a day 167 years ago that our forefathers had the wisdom and the courage to come together, two people, and sign a treaty that would form a great country, a country whose future would be bright, a country whose future would be prosperous and a country whose future would be built with hope for all New Zealanders."
Mr Key said later he was given a warm welcome to the meeting house.
"Titiwhai Harawira kissed me when I came in so it can't be all bad.
"They greeted me with great respect. I felt very comfortable there and I enjoyed it."
Mr Key said it seemed less political than his last visit and Nga Puhi had disruptive elements sorted out very quickly.
"There is a changing sense up here at Waitangi. I think there is a recognition it is incumbent on everybody to try and ensure it is marked as a day of celebration and not a day of protest and violence.
"There are plenty of days where I am sure those feelings can be reflected but for the sake of New Zealand and the importance of the treaty in our history, I think that is very important that that spirit is continued."
Heavy rain disrupted events last night when the Navy called off its "beat retreat" service on the Treaty House grounds. The rain and the wind threatened to do the same today.
As dawn broke the wind was gusting to more 50km/h and several of the tents and shelters erected in the domain and sports ground were struggling to stay upright for the Waitangi Festival.
The weather was likely to cause further disruption to events today, including the launching of several waka (war canoes) off Te Tii and Hobson beaches.
Festival activities were due to continue throughout the day but as with the dawn service, many people were not expected to go out in the strong winds and the "rain bomb" which was predicted to over Waitangi by midday.
At noon the n avy frigate HMNZS Te Kaha, anchored in the harbour and overlooked by the Treaty House, was due to fire a 21-gun salute but it was doubtful a navy party on the Treaty House grounds could be part of the salute because of the weather.
- NZ HERALD STAFF / NZPA
