Attendees at the Waitangi day event turned their backs on government officials during their speeches. (RNZ: Cole Eastham-Farrelly)
In short:
New Zealand's Waitangi Day was overshadowed by controversy as Māori leaders condemned a proposed bill to redefine the Treaty of Waitangi.
Methodist Church president Te Aroha Rountree likened the move to "the crown filing for divorce."
What's next?
The proposed Treaty Principles Bill will continue to face resistance, with Māori leaders vowing to fight any changes that undermine their rights.
New Zealand's national holiday is traditionally a chance to reflect on the past, but this Waitangi Day has been overshadowed by anger about the future.
During a gathering of political leaders on the eve of the public holiday, advocates twice stole the microphone away from ACT party leader David Seymour while audience members wearing symbols of Maori sovereignty turned their back.
Mr Seymour said while some people turned their back, "other people actually brought their chairs forward".
Waitangi Day is often a day of reflection in New Zealand but this year tensions have underscored the division within the country. (RNZ: Cole Eastham-Farrelly)
"You can try and suppress ideas but actually people have an ability to decide what they think for themselves," he said.
The anger surrounding Waitangi Day stems from a controversial plan to redefine New Zealand's foundational document, the Treaty of Waitangi, and thus its relationship with the Māori.
Criticism of the proposed legislation, from subtle to blunt, pervaded official ceremonies, with one religious leader suggesting during a dawn service that the treaty was a marriage gone sour.
"To renegotiate the terms of a marriage usually requires both spouses," Methodist church president Te Aroha Rountree said.
"It seems our spouse, the crown, has filed for divorce while we were blissfully unaware.
Despite protesters turning their backs and taking a microphone away from him, ACT party leader David Seymour said there were some who wanted to hear his speech. (RNZ: Samuel Rilstone)
"The potential for Māori success in the face of this kind of legislation, which I believe is masquerading as equality for all, is impossible."
After the service, Mr Seymour said many "good Christian people" don't share the views expressed by some religious figures.
"If people wonder why church attendance is in freefall and people are turning away from Christianity, according to the latest census, it's because people try to politicise things," he said.
"If I as a politician started giving sermons every day, my support might drop."
What is Waitangi Day and why are Māori leaders concerned?
Waitangi Day is a multi-day series of events, summits and cultural celebrations centred in northern New Zealand at the site of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840.
The treaty between the British Crown and more than 500 Māori chiefs paved the way for the annexation of New Zealand, while requiring the crown to protect Māori possessions and give signatories the full rights of British subjects.
What's behind huge Māori protests in New Zealand?
Photo shows A silhouetted crowd standing in the morning mist, holding up large flags.
But Mr Seymour argues the interpretation of the treaty to date has been too broad, too vague and privileges Māori over other ethnic groups.
He has said his Treaty Principles Bill would give the government "full power to govern" and make laws "in the best interests of everyone".
But the proposal, along with other recent government efforts to dismantle Māori-specific programs, has sparked fierce opposition.
Waitangi Day traditionally begins with the National Iwi Chairs Forum, where Māori leaders gather to discuss their goals for the year, however, this year Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his ministry were uninvited.
Christopher Luxon skipped events at Waitangi to instead attend a ceremony in Akaroa, which sparked criticism. (RNZ: Russell Palmer)
And while prime ministers traditionally attend Waitangi Day at the treaty ground, Mr Luxon this year opted to spend the day in Akaro on the South Island.
Mr Luxon argued Akaro had personal significance and was where the treaty was signed by other Māori chiefs in 1840.
The prime minister doesn't support the Treaty Principles Bill himself and while he helped it get an initial reading, he has vowed to ensure it never becomes law.
Opposition Leader Chris Hipkins said the prime minster "should've shown some leadership" and attended events at treaty grounds "on a day when we're talking about the future of the country".
Mr Seymour brushed off suggestions that the prime minister's absence meant he lacked support.
"I don't rely on Chris for support. I think he relies on me," he said.
While views about the Treaty of Waitangi may vary greatly across New Zealand, iconic kiwi actor Sam Niel seemed to call for unity when asking New Zealand to "honour the treaty" and remember "the extraordinary beauty of the place we live in".
"In a world that seems so dark and even crazy right now, we seem like an oasis of calm and reason," he said in a pre-recorded message on TVNZ's official broadcast.
"We're not perfect we know that but let's continue to do better."
