People watch the Waitangi Day Dawn Service as the sun rises at the Whare Runanga in Waitangi. Photo: GettyA large crowd has gathered on the marae at Waitangi for a dawn service marking the 179th anniversary of the signing of the treaty. Politicians including Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of Samoa and other dignitaries crowded into the Whare Rūnanga in the Bay of Islands this morning. Shortly after the dawn service, Ms Ardern grabbed an apron and tongs to help with the barbecue, before being put on to the all important job of tomato sauce allocation. Serving food from the barbeque on the Treaty Ground at Waitangi are (from left) Andrew Little, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Kelvin Davis and Chlöe Swarbrick.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 05, 2019 20:03 UTC