There was calm at Waitangi's Te Tii Marae yesterday with some locals going as far to say that things were "pretty tame and chilled".

Waitangi Day dawn service held at the treaty grounds marae at Waitangi.

Protesters opposed to deep sea drilling and mining in Northland were promising a torrid welcome at Waitangi this year. The protesters who arrived a couple of hours before PM John Key did had a hikoi of about 70, included Green Party Co-Leader Metiria Turei.

John Key offered a challenge of his own to protesters at what he said was one of the quietest pre-Waitangi Day visits to Te Tii Marae in many years, despite a pilchard protest.

Those who disrupt the PM's attendance at Te Tii Marae are 'crapping on their own heritage', according to NZ First leader Winston Peters.

Photos and mementoes of the late Parekura Horomia will be presented at Waitangi today in memory of the politician who never missed Waitangi Day at the historic Treaty grounds.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully leaves today to host a Waitangi Day function in New York for 200 diplomats where he will step up New Zealand's campaign for a seat on the Security Council.

Mr Key says it's a 'bit sad' but agitators do finally leave and everyone enjoys a `family day'.

At Waitangi, a light-hearted church service led by the country's politicians and iwi leaders kicked off the day's events this morning, followed by kapa haka and waka activities. Some members of the community also took part in an anti-violence hikoi. Elsewhere, Kiwis are celebrating Waitangi Day by soaking up the sun with friends and family.

As you'll know by breathless media reports, the old battle-axe Titewhai Harawira took the country to the brink of disaster just as the Prime Minister and other dignitaries were about to arrive at the lower Waitangi marae.

The United States has the 4th of July, France has Bastille Day, and Australia, well, Australia has Australia Day.

On the way to Waitangi we stopped at a coffee bar in Whangarei. The attendant said he had grown up in the Bay of Islands but wouldn't go where we were going.

A group of immigrants chose Waitangi Day to become New Zealand citizens. Reporters Vaimoana Tapaleao and Kieran Campbell met some of the new New Zealanders.

John Key and David Shearer have both voiced support for a four-year parliamentary term - but the change will require public buy-in to happen.

The foreshore at Waitangi turned muddy in the bright sun this morning as waka paddlers delighted thousands with haka.

Prime Minister John Key has used his annual address at Waitangi to make the case for the day to keep its edge, warts and all.

A light-hearted church service led by the country's politicians and iwi leaders has kicked off Waitangi Day.

Restaurants are still divided over charging extra to cover costs, 10 years after a law which made them pay staff more on public holidays.

Waitangi Day remains an annual reminder of the 173-year Crown-Maori relationship - a relationship that is still very much a live subject in the New Zealand Courts.

It was, as a highly amused Shane Jones observed, the year that will go down as "Granny-gate".

Kaumatua at Te Tii Marae have been accused of being "women bashers'' after a stand-off over who would be the PM's escort this morning.

United Future leader Peter Dunne has released a video that calls for a rethink by New Zealand on Waitangi day, as says it has "been hijacked by fringe activities by the lunatics at Waitangi".

David Shearer hopes to make Waitangi Day a day of celebrations rather than angst by moving the New Years' Honours to that day and issuing a ream of awards.

Ngapuhi kuia Titewhai Harawira and Ani Taurua are both vowing to bring the Prime Minister on to Te Tii Marae today at Waitangi.

The Waitangi Tribunal has recommended a settlement package for Far North iwi Ngati Kahu totalling $42.518 million.