About 500 people, including both New Zealand Prime Minister John Key and Labour leader Phil Goff, attended the service on Saturday at the Treaty Grounds meeting house to mark the 170th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, the nation's founding document.
The service, mostly in pleasant conditions until a shower hit at the break of dawn, followed a peaceful day of events at Te Tii Marae on Friday.
Mr Key gave thanks to those who signed the Treaty of Waitangi 170 years ago.
"We thank them for their wisdom in that decision and in the bravery in taking that bold step," he said.
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'Extremists' on both sides of race debate singled out
Speaking a few hours before a keynote address in which he will speak out against extremists on both sides of the race relations debate, Mr Key also gave thanks to those who signed legislation 35 years ago which led to the Treaty of Waitangi claims process.
He said this was the time "when we started to recognise that our country could be a place of great harmony where we could live together with a recognition and maturity of one another".
"Our challenges will be like so many other nations, but we know that our people can rise to that challenge. We know that our country can be even stronger."
Mr Goff expressed similar sentiments, giving thanks to those who helped found a nation "where largely we live together in harmony and mutual respect and tolerance".
Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias spoke in support of the man who helped produce the 1975 treaty legislation, then Maori Affairs Minister Matiu Rata, as well as former Maori leader Sir James Henare.
She said their efforts set New Zealand on a path which could produce justice for all.
Also present was Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples, traditional elders of the area, armed forces representatives and the diplomatic corps, who attended for the first time in 15 years.
Maori sovereignty flag to fly
For the first time this year, the Maori sovereignty flag will fly from government buildings.
Later on Saturday morning there will be a service marking 70 years since the building of the Maori war canoe built by the Ngapuhi people for the centenary of the signing of the treaty.
On Friday, Mr Key addressed several issues relating to Maori at Te Tii Marae. He said he hoped the Foreshore and Seabed Act could be repealed this year, but warned that a solution was needed which most New Zealanders could support.
Mr Key also said he wanted to improve Maori education standards so young Maori could have better job prospects.
