Waitangi — a place in history
Waitangi is a picturesque settlement not far from Paihia in Northland. As the place where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840 it is New Zealand’s most important historical site. Each year on February 6 it is host to the official Waitangi Day celebrations.
100 years after the British Resident James Busby first settled at Waitangi, his homestead was given its current status as the birthplace of a nation. In 1932 the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, and his wife bought the house and grounds, together with an additional 1,000-acre land block and gifted them to the nation. A trust board was set up, the dilapidated house restored, and the grounds gradually developed.
The Treaty Grounds have spectacular views over the Bay of Islands. Visitors can see the Treaty House, Te Whare Runanga, the fully carved Māori Meeting House, Ngatokimatawhaorua the Māori War Canoe, the Naval flagstaff and an exhibition about the history of Waitangi and the Treaty. There are guided tours and cultural performances and extensive gardens and park to enjoy.
We recommend: Waitangi resources
On this website:
- See our feature on Waitangi Day and the Treaty of Waitangi
- Also see our comprehensive reference guide to the Treaty of Waitangi
- The official Treaty Grounds website
- People with an interest in Waitangi Day (and the Treaty of Waitangi) comment on what it means to them
Our Internet Gateway recommends:
- nzhistory.net.nz has information on the Treaty House and Waitangi Day.
- NZ Historic Places Trust has information on current and historic uses of the Treaty House.
- NewZealand.com, Tourism NZ’s official site, has useful information on the Bay of Islands as does Northland Naturally, the official local tourism site for Northland including the Bay of Islands. Tourism.net.nz also offers extensive information on activities, accommodation and attractions in the Bay of Islands.
Search the library catalogue for books and other resources
- Waitangi – the place and treaty grounds
- The Treaty of Waitangi – history and issues
