Commemorations of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in Tauranga drew large crowds and prominent speakers as people gathered across three Tauranga events on Thursday to mark 200 years since missionary Henry Williams’ first visit to Tauranga Moana.

The commemorations began with a dawn mihimihi and karakia at Ōtamataha Pā attended by about 75 people, before around 100 gathered at the Bay of Plenty Vintage Car Club for a lecture by historian Dr Samuel Carpenter, a media statement from event organisers said.

More than 500 people later filled Holy Trinity Tauranga for an evening symposium featuring Supreme Court Justice Sir Joe Williams and historian-theologian Dr Alistair Reese.

Kaumātua from Waitangi, Ngāti Hauā, including Kingmaker and tūrumaaki Hōne Thompson, and Ngāti Kahungunu responded on behalf of manuhiri to the welcome from local kaumātua Puhirake Ihaka and Tamati Tata.

Dr Carpenter outlined Henry Williams’ role in shaping early relationships between Māori and missionaries, including efforts to foster peace between iwi during conflict and his involvement in translating and mediating Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Dr Reese explored Te Tiriti as a covenant, drawing parallels with biblical teachings and reflecting on the church’s role in both honouring and failing to uphold its commitments. He challenged attendees to consider how Te Tiriti should continue to shape relationships between tangata whenua and tangata tiriti.

The lecture audience at the Tauranga Vintage Car Club. Photo / Supplied

Sir Joe Williams shared insights from his upbringing and his experience as a former Waitangi Tribunal chairman and current Supreme Court Justice, offering a legal perspective on Te Tiriti’s place in New Zealand’s constitutional framework.

He described its ongoing potential to unite New Zealanders and encouraged the church to take up a role of mediation, as exemplified by Henry Williams.

A highlight of the evening was presentations by secondary school speech competition winners, including te reo Māori winner Raewyn Walker of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o te Kura Kōkiri and English winner Hinekaporangi Rolleston of Te Wharekura o Mauao.

Dr Reese said the strong turnout reflected a growing desire within the community to better understand the country’s shared history.

“The overwhelming support from local iwi partners, church leaders and the wider community made this day possible,” he said.

“It showed there is a real appetite to learn from our past as we continue building relationships for the future.”

Bethlehem College Kapa Haka group performing at the events. Photo / Supplied

The events were supported by Te Manawa o Te Wheke, local iwi, the Ōtamataha Trust, the New Zealand Church Missionary Society and churches across Tauranga. Organisers hope the momentum will encourage ongoing conversations about Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the history shaping Tauranga Moana and Aotearoa New Zealand.