Politicians of almost every stripe have descended on Rātana Pā today for the annual celebrations.

ACT's David Seymour was a notable absence.

Over the day, Māori leaders labelled the Government the enemy and warned the Prime Minister not to meddle with te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Chris Luxon assured the crowd his Government is committed to progress for Māori.

NZ First MP Shane Jones was heckled during his speech - but he says he took it in his stride.

"They thought that with loud angry voices, Winston Peters and I would back down. And they met their match in Shane Jones."

LISTEN ABOVE

Politicians of almost every stripe have descended on Rātana Pā today for the annual celebrations.
ACT's David Seymour was a notable absence.
Over the day, Māori leaders labelled the Government the enemy and warned the Prime Minister not to meddle with te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Chris Luxon assured the crowd his Government is committed to progress for Māori.
NZ First MP Shane Jones was heckled during his speech - but he says he took it in his stride.
"They thought that with loud angry voices, Winston Peters and I would back down. And they met their match in Shane Jones."
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.