Miscellaneous

Waitangi Treaty Grounds: The birthplace of New Zealand

On February 6 1840, representatives of the British Crown met with prominent Māori chiefs of the northern part of the North Island, to sign the Treaty of Waitangi - the founding document of New Zealand. The treaty was then transported throughout the country to allow chiefs from other tribes to sign.

The ultimate intention of the Treaty of Waitangi, from the Crown's perspective, was to protect Māori interests from the encroaching British settlement, to provide for British settlement and to establish a government to maintain peace and order.

The relationship between Māori and European settlers at the time was not particularly harmonious. The notion of central governance was foreign to Māori, as each tribe lived by laws set by a rangatira (chief) whose authority was limited to within his tribal boundary. British settlers regularly disregarded tribal laws of the Māori, which often led to conflict between the two peoples.

The majority of rangatira could not speak or understand English, so the English version of the Treaty of Waitangi was translated into Maori. However, there were crucial differences in meaning between the two translations and to this day the obligations the Treaty placed upon each partner are still contentious.

Traditionally, the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi is commemorated by a national holiday on 6 February each year, known as Waitangi day. This day has in the past been tarnished by angry protests as Maori fought to have rights that had been promised to them under the Treaty, honoured by the Government. Many iwi (tribes) have now had grievances settled by the Government and Waitangi Day in recent years has been a peaceful celebration of nationhood.

In 1932, the grounds where the Treaty was first signed were gifted to the nation in trust by Lord and Lady Bledisloe. Today the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, part of the 1,000 acre gifted site, are referred to as the birthplace of New Zealand.

The grounds are home to one of New Zealand's oldest and most visited historic homes. Treaty House, originally named 'The Residency' was built for the first British resident, James Busby, and his family. The name was changed to Treaty House at the request of Lord Bledisloe after the house was restored in 1933.

The Waitangi Treaty Grounds are also home to two of the nation's cultural icons - Te Whare Runanga and the ceremonial waka taua (war canoe).

Te Whare Runanga is a fully carved Māori meeting house erected to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the first signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. The carving of the house was appropriately led by the local Ngapuhi tribe, though the house is representative of every Māori tribe in New Zealand.

Ngatokimatawhaorua is one of the world’s largest Māori ceremonial war canoes. The canoe is launched every year as part of the annual Waitangi Day celebrations. At 35.7 metres long, up to 2 metres wide and weighing 12 tonnes, the vessel is a striking sight as it glides on the water laden with up to 80 paddlers and 55 passengers.

The Waitangi Treaty Grounds are a popular destination for tourists, both domestic and international. The Waitangi Visitor Centre has an impressive audio visual show that tells the story of Waitangi and surrounding areas. There are also live cultural performances, a gift shop and an artefacts gallery.