Waitangi Day and the Treaty of Waitangi

Waitangi Day marks the most significant moment in this country’s history — when representatives of the British Crown and Māori Chiefs signed the Treaty of Waitangi on 6 February 1840 at Waitangi in the Bay of Islands, Northland. The Treaty formed the foundation of a new nation and saw New Zealand become part of the British Empire.

Christchurch and Canterbury celebrations

Official celebrations in Canterbury are based at Ōnuku Marae and Takapūneke.

Takapūneke, also known as Greens Point or Red House Bay, is a site of deep cultural significance for local iwi. It is the place where chief Ngāi Tahu ariki Te Maiharanui was captured by Te Rapauraha in 1830, and 150 people were killed. Te Maiharanui and his wife were taken to Wellington where they were also killed.

These events were the catalyst that led to the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Ōnuku Marae was the first of the three locations in the South Island where Te Tiriti o Waitangi was signed and was also the site where in 1998, the Crown Apology was presented to Ngāi Tahu in the final stage in the settlement of Te Kerēme (the Ngāi Tahu Claim).

• Waitangi Day events in Christchurch and Canterbury

Takapūneke Historic Reserve

In 2010 Takapūneke Historic Reserve was opened. An exhibition at Akaroa Museum, Ngā Roimata o Takapūneke – Tears of Takapūneke, told the story of the massacre through images, texts and audio interviews. The Kataore mere — a short, flat weapon made of greenstone and said to be owned by a chief killed during the massacre — was also on display.

• Ōnuku Marae and Takapūneke and their connection with Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• Treaty signings in the South Island

Flying the Māori flag

An officially-recognised national Māori flag flew on Auckland Harbour Bridge, Premier House and other significant sites on Waitangi Day 2010. After consultation with Māori, Prime Minister John Key and Māori Affairs Minister Pita Shaples announced in December 2009 that the Tino Rangatiratanga flag would fly alongside the New Zealand flag on Waitangi Day.

The Ministry of Culture and Heritage website states provides detailed guidelines for flying the national Māori flag.

Celebrations at Waitangi and elsewhere

In Waitangi at dawn, the Royal New Zealand Navy raises the New Zealand Flag, Union Jack and White Ensign on the Flagstaff in the Treaty House grounds. Ceremonies during the day generally include a church service and cultural displays such as dance and song. Several waka and a navy ship also re-enact the calling ashore of Governor Hobson to sign the treaty.

Elsewhere in New Zealand, various communities have been celebrating Waitangi Day in a variety of ways including public concerts and festivals. Some marae use the day as an open day and an educational experience for their local communities, giving them the opportunity to experience Māori culture and protocol. In London, which has one of the largest New Zealand expatriate populations, a tradition has arisen in recent years to celebrate Waitangi Day. On the closest Saturday to February 6, Kiwis participate in a pub crawl using the London Underground’s Circle Line. At 4pm, a large-scale haka is performed at Westminster as Big Ben marks the hour.

Brief history of Waitangi Day

For nearly 100 years, the signing of the treaty was not commemorated. Instead, most celebrations of New Zealand’s founding as a colony were marked on 29 January, the date on which William Hobson arrived in the Bay of Islands.

In 1932, Governor-General Lord Bledisloe and his wife purchased and gifted to the nation the run-down house of James Busby, where the Treaty was signed. It was restored and the first Waitangi Day was celebrated in 1934. In 1940, the Waitangi Treaty House and grounds featured prominently in the Centennial celebrations and annual celebrations were held there during the 1950s.

The Waitangi Day Act was passed in 1960, which stated that 6 February be set aside to be celebrated throughout the country as a national day of thanksgiving to honour the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. In 1974, the day was made a public holiday and renamed New Zealand Day but reverted to Waitangi Day in 1976.

We recommend: Waitangi Day resources

On this web site

• Waitangi Day events in Christchurch and Canterbury
• Ōnuku Marae and Takapūneke from Ti Kōuka Whenua
• More about Takapūneke from Ti Kōuka Whenua
• How to celebrate Waitangi Day
• See our comprehensive reference guide to the Treaty of Waitangi
• Discover more about Waitangi, the place
• People with an interest in Waitangi Day (and the Treaty of Waitangi) comment on what it means to them.
• More Maori resources on the library website

Our Internet Gateway recommends

• Guidelines for flying the national Māori flag from the Ministry of Culture and Heritage
• Searching for James Busby, Captain William Hobson in the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography.
• The Ministry for Culture and Heritage manages the Commemorating Waitangi Day Fund, from which grants are available for inclusive community events commemorating the signing of the Treaty and celebrating New Zealand.
• The New Zealand Herald’s Waitangi Day news page.
• The history of Waitangi Day — from NZhistory.net.

Browse the resources in our libraries

• Waitangi Day – the history, significance of, and issues surrounding Waitangi Day
• Waitangi – the resources we hold on Waitangi, the place
• Ōnuku in the library catalogue