Tristram Clayton is at the launch of the world's largest ceremonial war canoe in the lead up to tomorrow's 177th anniversary celebrations of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.

Anti 'P' protesters have converged on Te Tii Marae at Waitangi ahead of tomorrow's Waitangi commemorations.

Labour Leader Andrew Little vows to always attend Waitangi celebrations at Waitangi.

Labour Leader Andrew Little opens his arms to former MP and broadcaster Willie Jackson at Waitangi.

Some of New Zealand's best-known faces reveal their Waitangi Day touchstones.

The sun has come out to play and is here to stay, with a scorcher of a long weekend across the country.

If Waitangi Day was observed as it should be - and no doubt one day will be - it will be a two-day event.

A new book explores the Treaty of Waitangi - at the coalface and where we are headed.

COMMENT: February 6 marks the one day out of 365 on which we are encouraged to contemplate our unique and imperfect history.

The weather's going to be (finally) glorious for most of the country.

Among the hundreds of waka paddlers taking part in this year's Waitangi Day festivities will be half a dozen who stand out. They'll

Six billion dollars. That's the scale of assets controlled by iwi which have signed settlements with the Crown.

Organisers of Waitangi Day celebrations at the grounds have got behind local health organisations by supporting the ban.

Labour leader Andrew Little will attend Waitangi celebrations in both Australia and Waitangi this year.

Bill English's alternative Waitangi Day programme includes a welcome by Ngati Whatua Orakei.

COMMENT: There many excellent reasons for the Prime Minister to stay away from Waitangi but being banned from speaking isn't one of them.

COMMENT: Let me tell you a story of broken promises, generations of injustice, second-class treatment and now, of political expediency, writes Lizzie Marvelly.

COMMENT: Truly it has been a momentous year, more so even, some say, than the tumultuous 2016.

Prime Minister Bill English will not attend Waitangi events at Te Tii Marae - saying it isn't acceptable to him that he can attend but not speak.

COMMENT: The All Blacks never back down from a fight and nor should the PM, writes Andrew Dickens.

A_MC230814NADPITA3.JPG HOT TOPIC: Pita Paraone has called a hui to discuss next year's Waitangi Day commemorations. PHOTO/MICHAEL

Quality celebration of all our cultures more sorely needed than a parade each, writes Brian Rudman.

Former New Zealand First MP Brendan Horan has been told by police there is no evidence to support charges he used money from his dying mother's bank account in an inappropriate way.

So the annual festival of self flagellation, otherwise known as Waitangi Day is over for another year, writes Andrew Dickens.

Our attitude to Waitangi Day is so sombre, it should be renamed Waitangi Awareness Day, Raybon Kan writes.

The annual humiliation of prime ministers at Waitangi's lower marae needs to be knocked on the head for good, writes Brian Rudman.

The employers of a protester who threw a sex toy at Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce will not say whether she will face disciplinary action.

Now, if Maori at Waitangi promise our Prime Minister a hostile welcome, why should he go? Alan Duff writes.

Charles and Camilla send New Zealanders a greeting in te reo Maori and reveal a golden pendant given to them during last year's royal tour.

His right-hand man was the target of a hurled dildo at Waitangi but Prime Minister John Key says he will consider making a return to the country's spiritual birthplace.