In one day at Waitangi, you'll learn a huge amount about Māori culture and the early history of New Zealand.
Waitangi, one of New Zealand's most significant historic sites, is where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840 between the British Crown and more than 500 Maori chiefs. The treaty agreed the terms by which New Zealand would become a British colony.
Today the Treaty Grounds are an opportunity to learn about Maori culture and the historical events associated with the signing of the treaty. Visit the Treaty House itself to see a replica of the original treaty; marvel at the fully carved Maori meeting house and one of the largest Maori war canoes in the country; and visit the two museums Te Kongahu and Te Rau Aroha. Live cultural performances are also held regularly and there’s a hotel located within the reserve that has a restaurant and bar.
Not only is Waitangi engaging from an educational point of view, but it's also a very beautiful place to explore. You can take a tour(opens in new window) along the Waitangi River, ride the tracks of the Waitangi Mountain Bike Park, or explore the small semi-formal garden that surrounds the Treaty House to the 6-kilometre forest walk that leads to Haruru Falls, the natural environment is spectacular. The shoreline provides a continuously changing panorama of the bay where warriors, whalers, sailors and settlers arrived in New Zealand.
