Ardern was among the many to gather at Waitangi before sunrise as part of commemorations on the 180th anniversary of the Treaty of Waitangi's signing.

That agreement, forged by European and Maori on 6 February 1840, is New Zealand's foundational document.

In a commemoration of that covenant, thousands of Kiwis joined Ardern and leaders from all walks of life both inside and around Waitang's 'te Whare Runanga', or upper meeting house, which represents the unity of Maori across Aotearoa.

The semi-religious and multi-language service was at times sombre, humorous and aspirational.

Among many to speak were chief justice Helen Winkelmann, navy chief David Proctor, police commissioner Mike Bush and race relations commissioner Meng Foon.

Ardern offered a prayer for "the poor, the sick, those who suffer prejudice and those that are lonely" before reciting the national anthem.

"Today we pray for our people, our history, and our future," she said.

"On this 180th Waitangi Day let us pledge to take us across the bridge between two peoples.

"Give us the courage to learn to walk comfortably in each other's shoes."

The week of engagements in Waitangi has taken place without the same tenor of protest that has often characterised the occasion.

But at the conclusion of the service, as participants filed silently out of the meeting house, one woman issued a sole cry for land rights.

"It's a new day .. return the stolen land and then the day will be truly beautiful," she yelled, before bagpipes filled the air.

Visitors then watched the sunrise over the Bay of Islands, while Ardern and government members took up tongs behind a free barbecue.

With bumper crowds well above previous years, organisers just managed to feed everyone in the monster line.

Ardern spent five days in Waitangi as part of a now-annual government delegation to Northland where Maori issues are given centre-stage.

Australian Associated Press