An estimated 15,000 people turned out to mark the 183rd anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in a four-day festival of culture, debate, politics, pomp, kai, colour and whānaungatanga from February 3-6, 2023. Photographer Tania Whyte and reporter Peter de Graaf of the Northern Advocate captured some of the sights.
Waitangi 2023 in photos
Kaihoe Joey Rapana plays a pu moana outside Te Whare Rūnanga at the Treaty Grounds. Photo Tania Whyte
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![A crowd of about 2000 people listens to the messages of the Waitangi Day Dawn Service at te Whare Rūnanga. Photo / Tania Whyte](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/CIMMN5K5Z5HBHDIZKCVG5BRI4E.jpg?auth=971c407e8902b7461c151fdcb1d4d12ad7ac474773e0ccde32ebf890f662da1e&width=16&height=12&quality=70&smart=true)
![Former Prime Minister Dame Jenny Shipley was publicly acknowledged by the Bishop of Tai Tokerau Te Kitohi Pikaahu. Photo / Tania Whyte](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/PZPCUSONDJCBXFJTK3HKKOQPMM.jpg?auth=435ab8846a66fb7ffda6ffe4fff1bcd1e0e2044cccb97c7498a7b856642a58c9&width=16&height=12&quality=70&smart=true)
![Prime Minister Chris Hipkins speaks to media after the dawn ceremony's conclusion. Photo / Tania Whyte](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/TFKIZ6FXGVBBFOOLLGL54UOHLY.jpg?auth=83913378ae384241e71e9798748dfce3e4972f558b12d0836db53c556447ab37&width=16&height=12&quality=70&smart=true)
![Smith Marks, 12, of Whananaki, takes his chance at the microphone while the media waits for Prime Minister Chris Hipkins. Photo / Tania Whyte](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/D6E4DJUYYFDW5OFV52B6PQOI7I.jpg?auth=20603e16902470d635f077cc55a98390b846ac4c9d9e5b8e6dbb69600472eb78&width=16&height=12&quality=70&smart=true)
![Kaumatua Ned Peita leads the hīkoi from Te Tii Marae to the Treaty Grounds. Photo / Peter de Graaf](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/2CMBQ37ND5DSJJPW2LUD34FDVE.jpg?auth=876611838abd14c911bc9fa77716b9ccc0526adabb363a28332611aa808920aa&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
![The hīkoi makes its way up the hill to the Treaty Grounds for the first time in five years. Photo / Peter de Graaf](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/WUGV7BDSNJBVNAERY4UURSOXHQ.jpg?auth=d8a79458b07e83a530fa5e75f71b7d161d0119e2cf2a576f7a1bc2822c542ecd&width=16&height=12&quality=70&smart=true)
![Kerikeri’s Troy Kingi, resplendent in a green suit, performs on the Treaty Grounds stage from his latest 1980s-style synth pop album. Photo / Peter de Graaf](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/O7OO5AJ3ZFDSPA4XUPWOZ3A6P4.jpg?auth=e96bd13188dbeebbf82205efc922eb3f4ea4aa8ace1cdcd954e4388cea81ff03&width=16&height=12&quality=70&smart=true)
![Nikora Hita of Whangārei holds two-year-old Arihia Edge during a Treaty Grounds show by singer-songwriter Troy Kingi. Photo / Peter de Graaf](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/DPXEWTY6BRDY3GFSZTMGJVQXDU.jpg?auth=6d32f795b3a11487f745f35e77ce17142dfa450456d515581ddebba3e8cfb6f8&width=16&height=12&quality=70&smart=true)
![Kiwi music legend McGlashan relishes the chance to perform at the Treaty Grounds. Photo / Peter de Graaf](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/HZ55VXWJYJC45OAHRPDKBVJ3MI.jpg?auth=c0de1c0c6bd108e73b46cf494b299aa493c13f88754669111feeca182fb6b800&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)