The Auckland and Northland Regiment perform a haka at mayor's presentation of the Charter at the Town Hall in Queen St.

The Auckland and Northland Regiment march up Auckland's Queen St as part of the mayor's presentation of the Charter at the Town Hall.

The Auckland and Northland Regiment march up Auckland's Queen St as part of the mayor's presentation of the Charter at the Town Hall.

A soldier from the Auckland and Northland Regiment marches up Auckland's Queen St as part of the mayor's presentation of the Charter at the Town Hall.

The Auckland and Northland Regiment march up Auckland's Queen St as part of the mayor's presentation of the Charter at the Town Hall.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown presents the charter to the Auckland and Northland Regiment.

The army were given the freedom of the city today when they were presented with a new charter by Auckland Mayor Len Brown.

The purpose of a charter parade is to publicly link an army unit with a city.

The fully uniformed third Auckland and Northland Battalion Group marched to the Auckland Town Hall from Aotea Square where ceremonial swords remained sheathed and soldiers waited in the hot sun for Mayor Brown to arrive from another engagement and present them with the honour.

An armoured vehicle guarded the battalions colours which Lieutenant colonel Chris Mulrane said were a great source of pride for the battalion with ''sacred cultural, and historical value''.

Followed by a Karakia by Ngati Whatua and prayers led by chaplin Di Wood, Len Brown inspected the 170 strong parade and addressed the battalion.

''We are appropriately proud to celebrate a charter parade in Auckland again,'' he said.

''Our city and people of Auckland have had a charter since 1952 but the battalion goes back to the establishment of the city of Auckland.

Mayor Brown said it was one of his first requests as mayor by the third Auckland Battalion to reinstate the charter parade which will now become an annual event

Brown said the battalion had a proud history that stretched abroad including the fields of Gallipoli.

''Swords are drawn, batons out and boots well polished,'' he said. ''We are extremely proud to have you here today. It is my hope that you will never march in anything other than peace.''