Prime Minister Bill English was not seen at the Waitangi Day celebrations at Te Tii Marae this morning.

Instead, Bill was commemorating the day at Ngati Whatua Orakei Marae in Auckland.

Bill's decision to not attend the traditional Waitangi Day service comes amongst the announcement that Te Tii Marae have issued media blackout for Waitangi coverage and are wanting to charge $10,000 for exclusive broadcasting rights.

The Prime Minister was greeted with a traditional powhiri at Ngati Whatua Orakei instead just after 8am this morning.

Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett was present at the traditional site for Waitangi at Te Tii Marae this morning and says the experience was 'amazing”.

'It was just, I thought, really spiritual ... I think it's a day to celebrate, which is what I heard this morning."

She says it was a shame Bill was not present at Te Tii Marae this morning, and hopes an agreement can be reached in the future.

'[Bill] is certainly not anti and certainly considers the spirituality and significance of this place, so it's not a decision he makes lightly.”

But at the end of the day, the decision for the Te Tii to hold the media blackout is up to the marae, says Paula.

"I always believe it's your marae, it's your rules. That's your home so they should get to do that.

"I quite like the idea of moving it around the country as well - I think they have every right to set their rules how they want to but it's then just whether people want to abide by them is their right as well.''

Paula says the National Party had made its stand pretty clear, and while Te Tii is entitled to set its rules, they weren't ones the government found "acceptable", particularly for Prime Minister Bill English, who boycotted Waitangi altogether.

"I think there are other Maori and iwi who would welcome the Prime Minister on this day and we need to look at that as well.''

Paula ignored the protesters who got riled up at the end of the dawn service, saying that sort of thing comes with the territory and "people are entitled to" protest.

Labour leader Andrew Little was present at Te Tii this morning and says the best part for him is the location.

"As always it's a great service and great opportunity to offer thanksgiving for the day''.

But he says the "really magic part" is coming out of the dawn service and down to the Treaty grounds to watch the dawn breaking with hundreds of New Zealanders soaking up the occasion.

"This is the part I love best.''

Waitangi National Trust Board chairman Pita Paraone, a NZ First MP, discourages media companies from paying the monetary demands for coverage at Te Tii.

"But for one moment I would not suggest they pay anything, particularly in response to this demand,” but instead suggested offering a koha (donation).

- Additional information from Stuff.