Latest from Waitangi Day

Bill English's alternative Waitangi Day programme includes a welcome by Ngati Whatua Orakei.

COMMENT: There many excellent reasons for the Prime Minister to stay away from Waitangi but being banned from speaking isn't one of them.

COMMENT: Let me tell you a story of broken promises, generations of injustice, second-class treatment and now, of political expediency, writes Lizzie Marvelly.

COMMENT: Truly it has been a momentous year, more so even, some say, than the tumultuous 2016.

Waitangi Day has provided an insight to the character of successive prime ministers ever since Norman Kirk made it a national holiday.

Bill English has been reminded of Waitangi criticism he levelled at Helen Clark after he decided not to attend the historic annual powhiri on national day.

Prime Minister Bill English will not attend Waitangi events at Te Tii Marae - saying it isn't acceptable to him that he can attend but not speak.

COMMENT: The All Blacks never back down from a fight and nor should the PM, writes Andrew Dickens.

A_MC230814NADPITA3.JPG HOT TOPIC: Pita Paraone has called a hui to discuss next year's Waitangi Day commemorations. PHOTO/MICHAEL

Quality celebration of all our cultures more sorely needed than a parade each, writes Brian Rudman.

Former New Zealand First MP Brendan Horan has been told by police there is no evidence to support charges he used money from his dying mother's bank account in an inappropriate way.

So the annual festival of self flagellation, otherwise known as Waitangi Day is over for another year, writes Andrew Dickens.

Our attitude to Waitangi Day is so sombre, it should be renamed Waitangi Awareness Day, Raybon Kan writes.

The annual humiliation of prime ministers at Waitangi's lower marae needs to be knocked on the head for good, writes Brian Rudman.

The employers of a protester who threw a sex toy at Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce will not say whether she will face disciplinary action.

Now, if Maori at Waitangi promise our Prime Minister a hostile welcome, why should he go? Alan Duff writes.

Charles and Camilla send New Zealanders a greeting in te reo Maori and reveal a golden pendant given to them during last year's royal tour.

His right-hand man was the target of a hurled dildo at Waitangi but Prime Minister John Key says he will consider making a return to the country's spiritual birthplace.

Waitangi Day 2016 has been a day largely dominated by family, festivities and fun - a stark contrast to the past few days where political squabble has been the agenda.

Prime Minister John Key says a protest where a sex toy was thrown at one of his senior ministers at Waitangi was "appalling".

While Prime Minister John Key was busy dodging protests on Waitangi Day, Labour leader Andrew Little was having his foot gently bathed up at Waitangi.

High winds have prevented the Tino Rangatiratanga flag being raised on the Auckland Harbour Bridge this morning.

Tauranga's celestial navigator and voyaging waka skipper Jack Thatcher is due to take a prominent ceremonial role in New Zealand's nationhood celebrations at Waitangi today.

Steven Joyce copped a dildo to the face yesterday afternoon prompting a ribbing from international media.

Back in 1997, a young would-be rapper from Manurewa went to a Waitangi Day concert at Manukau City Centre's Civic Square in south Auckland.

Join us for all the action from the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

A new book uncovers the story of New Zealand's best-known Treaty painting and the man behind it. Peter Alsop reveals a tale that's been 78 years in the making.

So today, let's not allow the racism of the few to spoil a fantastic day for the many. Happy Waitangi Day, my fellow Kiwis, writes Lizzie Marvelly.