Waitangi Treaty Grounds

Inside the Waitangi Meeting House

At this historic site 43 Maori chiefs signed a treaty with the British Crown in 1840. It was New Zealand's founding document but the translation of the words didn't make clear the difference between 'governance' which the Maori thought they were agreeing to and 'sovereignty' which the British were seeking. Years of mistrust, conflict and outright war followed.

Treaty House

The treaty was signed on the lawns of the home of James Busby, a respected British resident on the shores of the Bay of Islands. After years of neglect, Treaty House has been lovingly restored as a memorial and museum.

carving detail

On the hundredth anniversary of the treaty, a traditional Maori meeting house was built beside the original home with beautiful carvings representing the traditions of all Maori tribes.

The meeting house is open to the public and has the feeling of a sacred space. It is also used for a twice-daily performance of traditional Maori dance.

Maori dancers

Maori arrived in Aotearoa (their name for New Zealand) 1200 years ago from Eastern Polynesia. Today they make up about 10% of New Zealand's population and their traditions are integral to New Zealand's culture and identity.

even the tourists are encouraged to get in on the act!