More than 2,500 people gathered this morning at Waitangi to commemorate the 180th anniversary of the Treaty.
People started flooding into the grounds from about 4.30am.
Among those offering their prayers were Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Police Commissioner Mike Bush, Race Relations
Commissioner Meng Foon, Treaty Grounds chairperson Pita Tipene and chairperson of the Rūnanga a Iwi o Ngāpuhi Mere
Mangu.
Jacinda Ardern spoke of the bridge between two people.
"On this 180th Waitangi Day let us pledge to take a step across the bridge between our peoples, give us the perseverance
in our daily lives to commit to a simple action that helps take us to the otherside, and in doing so give us the courage
to walk comfortably in each other's shoes."
She also called to unite in kindness and care towards one another and concluded her prayer with the last verse of the
national anthem.
After the service the ministers served up breakfast.For Live updates see RNZ: