14. Bay of Islands - Waitangi

Thursday 4 January

Catching the 3pm ferry from Russell, I went to Waitangi and visited the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Here is where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed and it is here you will learn of Māori history and culture.


The Treaty of Waitangi
The Treaty of Waitangi (Māori: Te Tiriti o Waitangi) was signed on 6 February 1840 by representatives of the British Crown and a number of Māori chiefs from the North Island and established a British governor in New Zealand, recognised Māori ownership of their lands and other properties, and gave Māori the rights of British subjects.The English and Māori language versions of the Treaty differ in translation and is therefore difficult to know, and agree, on exactly what was agreed.

Māori began to draw attention to breaches of the Treaty from around the 1960's onwards and subsequent histories have emphasised problems with its translation.

In 1975 the Waitangi Tribunal was established as a permanent commission of inquiry tasked with researching breaches of the Treaty by the Crown or its agents, and suggesting means of redress.

You can read the Treaty here in English and read here in Māori


Waitangi Treaty House - front

The Treaty House was the residence of James Busby and it was here in a marquee that the Treaty of Waitangi (Māori: Te Tiriti o Waitangi) was signed.



Treaty House Flowers

In the back garden were a number of brightly coloured flower arrangements.



Waitangi Treaty House - rear

The Treaty of Waitangi

This timber plaque can be found in the Te Whare Runanga Marae.

Click on the markers below to see images. You can also enlarge the map.

View Waitangi New Zealand in a larger map