The tino rangatiratanga flag flew alongside the New Zealand flag on government buildings on Saturday.
The move's sparked debate in main centres over whether to follow suit. Protestors in Hamilton made clear their thoughts on the flag debate too.
Waitangi celebrations in the city started smoothly, but a small group of protesters brought along their own flags to make a point.
They want a new national flag and burnt the New Zealand flag in protest.
The situation quickly became heated with members of the public remonstrating with the protestors.
Jack Gielen of the New Zealand Republican Party was responsible for the flag burning and claims the New Zealand flag is a fictitious creation that bears no relation to people in New Zealand today.
Further south the flag raising was more peaceful.
The tino rangatiratanga and New Zealand flags were hoisted side by side on parliament grounds and on the Auckland harbour bridge
In Manukau it wasn't smooth sailing, with the council divided over whether to fly the Maori flag.
"I don't think that if a Maori sovereignty flag was flying on the flagpoles that it would last the whole day because it stands for division and seperatism," says councillor Jamie-Lee Ross.
However, councillor Efu Koka disagrees.
"You could look at it being divisive, but we should have flown it anyway, and let the Maori people decide through consultation," says Koka
It was eventually put to a vote and in the end the Manakau City Council flew no flag at all.
They say it's because Waitangi Day's fallen on a Saturday, and having no flag is normal weekend protocol
The flag debate is one the council may not have to deal with next year either as Waitangi Day falls on a Sunday.
Source: TVNZ
Do you think Waitangi Day is still prodominantly focused on historical and present day conflict? Or is it becoming a day all New Zealander's can celebrate with pride?
