Bishop Te Kito Pikaahu asked the crowd for calm while Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour delivered his prayer at the Waitangi Day dawn service. Seymour made the comments during Waitangi Day, a public holiday commemorating the anniversary of the initial signing of the Treaty of Waitangi on February 6 in 1840. His address at this morning's dawn service at Te Whare Rūnanga, Waitangi Treaty Ground in Northland was interrupted by loud hecklers and boos. A large crowd gathered for the dawn service at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Following the ceremonies, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon reaffirmed that National would not back a rehash of the Treaty Principles Bill.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 05, 2026 19:46 UTC