The man who promised to unite the country didn't stick around long after Tuesday morning's dawn service at Waitangi.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon left Waitangi after the dawn service and dodged Newshub's question about whether he copied bits of his speech from last year.
In the darkness, people gathered in their thousands to greet the dawn and show aroha for our founding document.
"In these complex times of real politick, it is difficult to comprehend that Te Tiriti o Waitangi was also originally a love story," said Dr Alistair Reese, who spoke from the mahau.
Outgoing Greens co-leader James Shaw even quoted The Notebook.
"A love story between two people, but it could easily be said, between two peoples. 'I love you, I am who I am because of you'."
But the love didn't quite extend to everyone.
For the man accused of creating division with his pursuit to redefine the Treaty's principles there were grumbles.
"A founding document signed here at Waitangi that gives each and every one of us the right to flourish in the ways that we choose," ACT leader David Seymour said.
And for Luxon, the man charged with leading, there was quiet as he read his prayer that he believed spoke to unity.
"If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact, God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be."
The Prime Minister wrapped his Waitangi events early with a team photo, and was then unwilling to speak to media on Aotearoa's national day.
Newshub attempted to question him just after his National team photo-op.
Asked how his first Waitangi went as Prime Minister, Luxon, walking, said: "Fantastic. Had a great few days, really enjoyed it."
And is he committed to coming to Waitangi every year as Prime Minister?
"I've been coming for some time and I hope so," he said, still walking.
It's been noted that some parts of Luxon's speech on Monday were almost identical to his speech last year.
Last year, during his speech, Luxon said: "183 years ago, and seven decades after Cook sailed south from Tahiti, the Crown and Māori came here to sign the Treaty of Waitangi."
This year, he said: "184 years ago today, and seven decades after Cook sailed south from Tahiti, Crown representatives and Māori came together to sign Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the Treaty of Waitangi."
Last year, he said: "In 1840, William Hobson and the chiefs assembled here at Waitangi, people just like us, and they were trying to navigate their way towards a united, stable, peaceful and prosperous future."
This year, he said: "On the sixth of February 1840, William Hobson and the chiefs assembled here at Waitangi. They were people just like us who were trying to navigate their way towards a united, stable, peaceful and prosperous future."
Last year, he said: "We know that they likely had different understandings of what they were doing, and we know that in the years that followed, the promise and the obligations of the Treaty were not upheld by the Crown."
This year, he said: "We know that they likely had different understandings of what they were doing, and we know that in the years that followed, the promise and the obligations of the Treaty were not upheld by the Crown."
Last year, he said: "No other country has attempted to right historical wrongs or to undertake a national reconciliation project like this as we have."
This year, he said: "Every nation's past isn't perfect, but no other country, I put it to you, has attempted to right its historical wrongs or dared to undertake such an ambitious journey of reconciliation as we have."
Last year, he said: "For all the pain that that process has entailed, there is no doubt that we are a better, more open, and a more tolerant country as a result."
This year, he said: "For all the pain that that process has entailed, we are a better, more open-minded, and, I think, more tolerant country because of it."
Newshub tried to ask Luxon on Tuesday if he had copied and pasted his speech from last year.
"I mean, look, there's some great themes I wanted to talk about which is actually making sure that people understand that the Treaty's part of a past, present and future and it will continue to be so."
But why did he copy and paste his speech, Newshub asked.
"We've got some great work to do and that's what we've got to continue on doing."
He continued to walk off.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins said he believes Luxon "still thinks he's the Leader of the Opposition in campaign mode."
"Actually, he is the Prime Minister now. Now is his moment to start leading the whole of the country, not just the people who he's trying to get to vote for the National Party."
But on Tuesday, Luxon didn't even want to speak to his voters, gapping Waitangi in a Crown car, to avoid talking to everyone.
