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Waitangi, home of the Treaty - roadside stories
The Treaty of Waitangi, considered to be New Zealand's founding document, was signed at Waitangi on 6 February 1840 between Māori chiefs and the British Crown.
Royal family at Waitangi, 1974
Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, the Duke of Edinburgh, and Prime Minister Norman Kirk at Waitangi on 6 February 1974
Flags flying on Waitangi Day
New Zealand flags at the Treaty Grounds in 2006
Waitangi Day in 1960
Royal New Zealand Navy ships and vessels from England and Australia carry out exercises at the Bay of Islands and take part in ceremonies commemorating the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi
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 representatives of the Crown have not always been present at Waitangi.
Classroom ideas - Waitangi Day
This page gives a broad outline of how teachers and students of social studies and history can use material on the Treaty of Waitangi. There are many resources available to help teachers prepare for themes about the Treaty. The material given here is authoritative and accessible. It is written and organised to help users quickly find the information that is most relevant to their needs. This is not an exhaustive list of teaching activities but some ideas to help busy teachers get started. We welcome feedback.
Further information - Waitangi Day
Links and further reading about Waitangi Day
Waitangi protest poster
Protest poster handed out at Waitangi, 6 February 1983. Claudia Orange, private collection
Prime Minister Helen Clark at Waitangi
Prime Minister Helen Clark with her escort, Titewhai Harawira, at Te Tii marae, Waitangi, 6 February 2002.
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).
Treaty events 1900-49 - Treaty timeline
Discover some of the key events between 1900 and 1949 relating to the Treaty of Waitangi.
Apirana Ngata leading haka, 1940
Apirana Ngata leading a haka at the 1940 centennial celebrations at Waitangi
The Treaty House - Waitangi Day
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 Waitangi Day events since 1934.
Waitangi Day 1990s
In the 1990s Waitangi Day events became a focus for protests about sovereignty.
Waitangi Day 1980s
The 1980s brought changes in the way Waitangi Day was marked officially, as well as growing Māori protest.
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 activities.
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 Waitangi.
Ngatokimatawhaorua canoe
This 30-metre-long canoe, Ngatokimatawhaorua, was launched at Waitangi in 1940.
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 only.
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 signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.

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