New Zealand celebrates Waitangi Day with dawn service, bacon butties

Thousands of Kiwis turn out early to mark 181st anniversary of founding document

Leaders from all walks of New Zealand life have commemorated the country's national day with a dawn service at Waitangi in the culmination of almost a week of celebrations, speeches and ceremonies.

The prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, was joined by other political figures, religious leaders, military and police chiefs and countless others for the sombre, soulful occasion, which marks the country's founding.