Māori leaders are promising to carry the message from Waitangi on through the year, to ensure the protection of Te Tiriti.
Thousands travelled to the Treaty Grounds for the annual commemorations and to continue discussions begun at last month's nationwide hui.
The chair of the Waitangi National Trust board chair, Pita Tipene, says much work is still needed to grow the public's understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi.
RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Corin Dann.
