He was joined by dozens of dignitaries from around the nation representing Parliament, local government and charities, and hundreds of people from the wider Southland community.
The day started with a powhiri, followed by speeches and presentations.
In his address, Mr Tipa announced Ngai Tahu would not be supporting the proposed Bill aiming for a referendum on the Treaty of Waitangi.
But Ngai Tahu was committed to working together with whoever held the office of the day to advance their right to hold their values and principles.
Labour Party list MP David Parker said he felt, as a representative of Parliament, it was important to address the tribal and marae’s elders.
"We are in the middle of a political storm about treaty issues at the moment," he said.
"But I have confidence as a country we will negotiate a pathway through these issues peacefully."
He was pleased tensions had not boiled over at the Waitangi grounds. He believed some of the tensions had been a consequence of MMP and a minor party calling for a referendum.
"That would’ve been a terrible thing for our country. It could have been as bad for our country as the Brexit referendum was for the United Kingdom."
"We all should take pleasure today that particular risk point is passed [and] did not occur because it could’ve been very divisive if there had been an answer to a referendum that some of our people could not have lifted."
He did not believe the Treaty Principles Bill would become law.
Mr Tipa said believed there were "some strong conversations to be had".
"We agree there shouldn’t be a referendum. We will not support the Bill."
Te Runaka O Awarua kaiwhakahaere (chairman) Dean Whaanga said Mr Parker’s comments were timely and part of the conversations that were happening now.
"It’s good that it gets brought to the attention of everybody.
"The main thing when you come on to a marae is the manaaki — looking after people," he said.
"It’s always nice the issues get brought up. If they are not brought up we can’t korero [talk about] them.
"We don’t want to mess with the Treaty.
"The Treaty has been ingrained in our society for 150 years and this last 30-40 years there’s been some real big movements in the language."
He would like to see the reo right through society, "as it should be".
Invercargill deputy mayor Tom Campbell said he fully agreed with Mr Parker’s comments.
"A referendum would be a terrible thing for New Zealand.
"New Zealanders don’t like to lurch one way or another. They like everything to move incrementally — little steps at a time. So anybody that proposes big changes, usually New Zealanders don’t like that."
- By Toni McDonald
