He Tohu

He Tohu is a permanent exhibition of 3 iconic constitutional documents that shape Aotearoa New Zealand. The documents are He Whakaputanga — Declaration of Independence, Te Tiriti o Waitangi — Treaty of Waitangi, and the Women’s Suffrage Petition — Te Petihana Whakamana Pōti Wahine.

Haere mai.

E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā iwi o te ao.

Nei rā te mihi ki a koutou, nau mai, haere mai ki te whakāturanga hou nei a He Tohu.

E kore ngā taonga nei e rangatira, ki te noho wahangu,

Nō reira, haere mai koe, piki mai koutou ki He Tohu.

A declaration.
A treaty.
A petition.

Welcome and thank you for visiting the new exhibition He Tohu.

Without people to talk about them, without people to care for them, these taonga will be silenced.

We welcome you warmly and invite you to enjoy He Tohu.

Visit He Tohu

Admission is free.

9am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday.

Free guided experience every day at 12.30pm.

At the National Library on Molesworth and Aitken Streets in Wellington.

Plan your visit

The story of the documents

1835 He Whakaputanga

Declaration of Independence of the United Tribes of New Zealand

1840 Te Tiriti o Waitangi

The Treaty of Waitangi

Detail of the Women's Suffrage Petition.

1893 Women's Suffrage Petition

Te Petihana Whakamana Pōti Wahine

For teachers

Arrange a school visit

Book an educator-led programme or a self-guided visit for your students.

Social inquiry resources

Social inquiry exemplars exploring contemporary issues related to cultural interaction and gender equality.

Ngā ripo o Whangaroa

He rauemi ako mā ngā kura reo Māori.

Explore He Tohu

He Tohu is a permanent exhibition of three iconic constitutional documents that shape Aotearoa New Zealand.

Upcoming events

9 July to 21 July

He Tohu school holiday fun

Bring your tamariki to the National Library these holidays to take part in art activities in the He Tohu kids area. Or take a family friendly tour of He Tohu to learn about the documents which help shape Aotearoa. Enjoy coffee and kai from HOME café. More...