Tuesday's scenes at Waitangi evoked memories of the Ngā Tamatoa Māori protests of the 1970s.
To borrow from the famous quote of the time from Dame Whina Cooper, the star of these commemorations has been "te tangata, te tangata, te tangata - the people, the people, the people". The much-anticipated arrival of the waka at Waitangi, the māramatanga [understanding] behind this traditional highlight is that iwi from across the motu are represented within the fleet.
And while they may be in separate waka, they are all paddling to the same destination.
At the same time, thousands were gathering on the road above, some who had never visited before but were united in their purpose regardless.
"I couldn't not be here today because of what's happening with the Government. I'm so afraid of the law changes, the speed with which they're doing everything without consultation - and it's racist. I'm afraid for our country," said Kiri.
"Māori are speaking, they're standing up and saying this is not right," said one tāne marching in the hīkoi.
The fight against the Government's proposals is intergenerational as te iwi Māori are worried for their future - like the tamariki paddling to shore or the young ones there to welcome them.
Eight-year-old Ngāraumata performed the karanga with her mother and grandmother for the first time. She told Newshub (in te reo Māori) how honoured she felt to be there.
In the past two months, Māori have found their mana in their masses and thousands have turned up to make their presence felt.
And what a presence it is, fuelling those waiting to hīkoi [walk] to the Treaty Grounds, in a baton change of epic proportions.
There was a sense of representation; for Māori, for iwi, for whānau and for those who have passed.
A day that may be remembered in history is already making memories.
"I felt so much mana walking across that bridge and seeing everyone that was a part of that walk past me and singing the waiata. It was so powerful," said Raven.
"We've travelled from Australia especially to be here and just to be back on the whenua, it's so beautiful, especially with my son," she told Newshub.
"It’s all about our tamariki really, our mokopuna for the future and the wero [challenge] that has been laid down before us, that’s us we’re moving forward as one," said Trinity Busby.
He described to Newshub what that looked like.
"Māori kotahitanga [unity amongst Māori], toitū te Tiriti [an everlasting and undisturbed Treaty of Waitangi], mana motuhake Māori [Māori self-determination and sovereignty]."
He waka eke noa, we're all in this together - and te iwi Māori said they're ready for the challenge.
