Waitangi Day

Articles

Every year on 6 February, New Zealand marks the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. For most people, Waitangi Day is a holiday; for many, and especially for Māori, it is a time for reflecting on the Treaty and its place in modern New Zealand. Read the full article

Page 1 - Waitangi Day

Every year on 6 February, New Zealand marks the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. For most people, Waitangi Day is a holiday; for many, and especially for Māori, it is a

Page 2 - The first Waitangi Day

Governor-General Lord Bledisloe gifted the Treaty House and grounds at Waitangi to the nation in 1932. Two years later there were celebrations at Waitangi to mark the date of the

Page 3 - Waitangi Day 1940s-1950s

From the 1940s the Treaty and Waitangi began to find a place in the national consciousness. For most New Zealanders, they were of historical interest

Page 4 - Waitangi Day 1960s

The Waitangi Day Act 1960 declared 6 February to be Waitangi Day; a national day of thanksgiving in commemoration of the signing of the Treaty of

Page 5 - Waitangi Day 1970s

Waitangi Day, a public holiday from 1974, briefly became New Zealand Day in the 1970s. Increasingly, it became a focus for Māori protest

Page 6 - Waitangi Day 1980s

The 1980s brought changes in the way Waitangi Day was marked officially, as well as growing Māori

Page 7 - Waitangi Day 1990s

In the 1990s Waitangi Day events became a focus for protests about

Page 8 - Waitangi Day in the 21st century

Waitangi Day in the 21st century has been linked more closely with New Zealand identity, and events have expanded beyond Waitangi itself. Protests have continued, and

Page 9 - The Treaty House

The Treaty House is New Zealand's most-visited historic building. In 1932 Governor-General Lord Bledisloe gifted it to the nation. The house and grounds have been the focus of

Page 10 - Further information

Links and further reading about Waitangi

Treaty timeline

See some of the key events between 1800 and 1849 relating to the Treaty of Waitangi. Read the full article

Page 3 - Treaty events 1900-49

Discover some of the key events between 1900 and 1949 relating to the Treaty of

The Treaty in brief

The Treaty of Waitangi is New Zealand’s founding document. It takes its name from the place in the Bay of Islands where it was first signed, on 6 February 1840. The Treaty is an agreement, in Māori and English, that was made between the British Crown and about 540 Māori rangatira (chiefs). Read the full article

Page 1 - The Treaty in brief

The Treaty of Waitangi is New Zealand’s founding document. It takes its name from the place in the Bay of Islands where it was first signed, on 6 February 1840. The Treaty is an