Throughout the day at Waitangi the two festival stages pulsed with energy. The market was buzzing, and the outstanding new Waitangi museum moved and challenged those who entered.

The two church services (one in Te Whare Runanga as the dawn broke and the other mid-morning on the marae atea) were well-attended, with Bishop Kito being the glue that held together both the services and everyone gathered for them.

As I worshipped, then wandered through the day at Waitangi, trying to soak it all in, I sensed that something deep is stirring.

Something that goes beyond the excitement of buzzing markets, a thought-provoking new museum – or the theatrics of politics.

I sensed a growing confidence in our nation.

That new confidence is grounded in realism – there is much to do, justice is a long time coming, and relationships have to be constantly worked at. There’s no sugar-coating that reality.

But as a nation we are becoming more comfortable about being together in all of our differences. We’re finding new places where we can forge common purpose.

I heard speeches about the TPPA, and concerns about rangatiratanga and dangers to the whenua.

I heard suggestions too, that water will become the next take - and time and again I heard people saying that any attempts to commodify water are unacceptable. That water is a gift, and not a commodity to be bought and sold.

There were many Pakeha families listening to that korero, and my sense is that those concerns struck a chord with them, too.

In other words, as a country we are coming together to care for God’s creation, to recognise the sacredness of the environment for which we are stewards, and more and more we are ready to unite over these shared concerns. 

So I’ve come away from Waitangi feeling that we should be grateful for the strong, strident voices calling us to reconsider and to question. Surely the voice of protest is essential in a free nation?

Yes, relationships have to be worked at and cared for. But let's not give up, nor become complacent.

I believe ‘our’ day is a day of which we can all feel proud. I’m grateful for all the Treaty offers everyone who lives in this land. It’s a covenant based on generosity and hospitality, and at Waitangi, I sensed a determination that the rights and needs of future generations will not be sold to present-day expediency.

Now that is something to celebrate.