Waitangi: 'Tense standoff' at Te Tii Marae

There's a "tense standoff" at Te Tii Marae over visiting rights - and at least 50 police are on guard.

Media have been blocked from witnessing a visit by Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy to Te Tii Marae ahead of Waitangi Day.

Te Tii Marae waitangi
At least 50 police are on guard (Newshub.)

Police blocked access to the marae entrance ahead of Dame Patsy's arrival, while those on the marae have put up three large tarpaulins blocking a view through the hedge. A man putting up one of the tarpaulins would not respond to questions.

"The Te Tii Marae management have put these huge tarpaulins up on one corner of the marae so it's blocking the media from filming into the marae," says Newshub political reporter Lloyd Burr.

"There's a huge police presence. I've been to Waitangi for the last five years - and I've never seen police presence this much. And today's not even a big day - the Prime Minister's not even here."

However, despite the best efforts of the marae management to block photo access, the New Zealand Defence Force has released photos showing the pōwhiri for Dame Patsy.

 Te Tii Marae Waitangi day
The pōwhiri for Dame Patsy (Supplied/NZDF)
 Te Tii Marae Waitangi day
The pōwhiri for Dame Patsy (Supplied/NZDF
 Te Tii Marae Waitangi day
The pōwhiri for Dame Patsy (Supplied/NZDF)
Te Tii Marae Waitangi day
The pōwhiri for Dame Patsy (Supplied/NZDF)

On Thursday the marae said it would charge media outlets $10,000 to attend.

Taxpayers have given nearly $50,000 Te Tii Marae for this year's event.

Newshub.