Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has arrived at Ratana Pa, north of Whanganui for the annual commemorations.
The day signals the start of the political year and Ms Arden addressed the pending signing of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement between 11 countries before being welcomed onto the pa.
"It looks likely that we sign at the beginning of March," she said.
"Obviously there have been bumps in the road along the way... certainly this is another step towards the finalisation of that agreement."
On her way to Ratana Ms Ardern stopped at Bulls and was a given a Bull Bag - a reusable cloth bag which are being rolled out across Bulls retailers as part of an anti-plastic campaign in the town.
