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Treaty of Waitangi

Te Tiriti o Waitangi was signed in 1840. This topic covers our founding document, the different versions, main signatories, loss of treaty rights, impact on Māori, protests, timeline settlements, and work by the Waitangi Tribunal. SCIS no. 1809070

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Waitangi Crown, 1935

The Waitangi Crown, which was issued in 1935, is not strictly a commemorative coin, but the circumstances of its issue means it functions like one. It was struck after the New Zealand Numismatic So...

Flagpole, Treaty of Waitangi

Flagpole, Treaty of Waitangi

Front profile view looking at the site of the Treaty of Waitangi (commemorative) flagpole; a network of ropes holding the flagpole in place can also be seen. Tall trees, a bridge and the main house...

Hōne Heke's protest

Hōne Heke's protest

In July 1844 Ngāpuhi chief Hōne Heke organised the felling of the flagpole above Kororāreka.

Haka on Waitangi Day

Haka on Waitangi Day

Apirana Turupa Ngata helped organise the celebrations for the centennial of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1940, and the construction and opening of a carved house at Waitangi, which can be seen in the...

Protests

Waitangi Day is also an occasion for some to protest against breaches of the treaty. Sometimes disorder overtakes the celebrations, especially at Waitangi itself. This protest took place on Waitang...

Waitangi, home of the Treaty

The Treaty of Waitangi, one of New Zealand's founding documents, was signed here on 6 February 1840 by Māori chiefs and representatives of the British Crown.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi — Nine Lives

Fire raged through the town. Tongues of flame danced from house to house, devouring buildings whole... What would happen to Te Tiriti?

Re-enacting the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi

This televised re-enactment of the first signing of the treaty at Waitangi in 1840 shows the confusion and mixed motives among the Maori chiefs present. The prominent younger chief Hōne Heke was th...

Perspectives on the treaty

Perspectives on the treaty

Morehu Wilson of Ngāti Paoa discusses the impact the Treaty of Waitangi has had on Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland iwi.

Waitangi Day, 1973

Labour Prime Minister Norman Kirk’s speech at Waitangi Day 1973.

What really happened - Waitangi

What really happened - Waitangi

This docudrama follows an imaginary news reporter who travels back in time to cover the days leading up to the Treaty of Waitangi’s signing on 6 February 1840. Dropping the usual solemnity surround...

Lost in translation

Lost in translation

Episode two of comedian Mike King’s acclaimed Treaty of Waitangi series travels to the Bay of Islands, to talk to historians and signatory descendants, and explore the background to the Treaty's or...

Women signatories to the Treaty of Waitangi

The Treaty of Waitangi was signed by women of mana as well as male chiefs. Roll over the place names on this map to see some of these signatures. Since they were not yet literate, the women signed ...

Signatures to the Treaty of Waitangi

E-Book with the names of the Māori chiefs who signed the treaty according to date and place.

Interpretations of the Treaty of Waitangi

Describes how the treaty in Māori differs from the meaning in English.

Treaty House, Waitangi

Treaty House, Waitangi

Treaty House in Waitangi, where a number of significant events took place.

Waitangi Treaty copy

Interactive version of the treaty document and information about all the signatories.

Background to Treaty of Waitangi

This page gives a broad outline of how teachers and students of social studies and history can use material on the Treaty of Waitangi. There are many resources available to help teachers prepare fo...

Waitangi meeting house

A special treaty house was built to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the treaty.

Protesting the 150th anniversary of the Treaty of Waitangi

Protesting the 150th anniversary of the Treaty of Waitangi

A group of protesters look out from the roof of a bus at Waitangi in 1990, on the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Flags, including the Kotahitanga (Māori parliament move...

Kapa haka, Waitangi Day 1947

Kapa haka group performing at Waitaingi Day celebrations in 1947.

Treaty timeline

See some of the key events between 1800 and 1849 relating to the Treaty of Waitangi.

Creating the Treaty of Waitangi

This article explains what the treaty is and how it was created.

Provides detailed information about the treaty and the events that led up to the signing of it.

The Waitangi Tribunal and the Treaty of Waitangi

This website gives information about the history of the Treaty of Waitangi.

Drafting the Treaty of Waitangi

Brief explanation of how the Treaty of Waitangi was made.

Treaty of Waitangi - missionaries

This video provides an explanation of why the Missionaries supported the Treaty.

Treaty of Waitangi past and present

School resources related to the Treaty of Waitangi.

All About the Treaty

This document contains everything you need to know about the Treaty of Waitangi.

The Journey of the Treaty

This document provides an explanation of how the nine treaty documents travelled though out New Zealand.

Treaty of Waitangi 175th anniversary stamp

A special New Zealand Post stamp to mark the 175th anniversary of the Treaty of Waitangi.

Treaty of Waitangi quiz

A quiz on the Treaty of Waitangi.

The Treaty of Waitangi today

This video provides an explanation of why the treaty is so important today.

The Treaty of Waitangi

This website provides a brief history of New Zealand as well as information about the Treaty of Waitangi.

This website provides information on the Treaty of Waitangi and treaties around the world.

House of James Busby in Waitangi

House of James Busby in Waitangi

This is the house where James Busby, who is known for his involvement in the drafting of the Treaty of Waitangi lived. This house, now called the Treaty house is significant as the Treaty was signe...

Signing of the Treaty of Waitangi

Signing of the Treaty of Waitangi

February 6th 1840 is the official date for the signing of Treaty of Waitangi between the British Crown and around 500 Māori chiefs. The image shows Hone Heke shaking hands with Governor William Hob...

Captain William Hobson

Captain William Hobson

Captain Hobson was New Zealand’s first Governor. He began his career in the Royal Navy and served in the Napoleonic wars. Captain Hobson sailed into the Bay of Islands on 26th May 1837. He helped d...

Treaty of Waitangi monument

Treaty of Waitangi monument

The celebrations of the treaty at Waitangi made the Te Tii marae a place of historic significance. The Māori erected the Waitangi Monument there in 1880. The monument has the full Māori version of ...

Reconstruction of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi

Reconstruction of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi

A modern reconstruction, showing Tamati Waka Nene signing the treaty in front of James Busby, Captain William Hobson, and other British officials and witnesses. Some Maori signatories are assembled...

Treaty of Waitangi

Treaty of Waitangi

This is a photograph of a signed copy of the Treaty of Waitangi. The document was almost destroyed in a fire in 1841. The treaty documents were stored away safely and were not seen until historian,...

Waitangi Day, 2015

Waitangi Day, 2015

Waitangi Day means many things to many people. For some, it is a time to reflect on our nation's founding document, where New Zealand has come from and where it is headed. For others, it might be a...

The Treaty of Waitangi over time

The Treaty of Waitangi over time

This cartoon showing Captain Hobson and a Māori chief, illustrates how the different versions of the treaty have caused much controversy between the Crown and Māori in New Zealand. It was only fro...

Treaty of Waitangi

Treaty of Waitangi

Many Answers has information about the Treaty of Waitangi - Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

The Treaty of Waitangi

Printable version of the treaty in English and Māori, including the English translation of the Māori Treaty.

Waitangi Day activity book

A free downloadable activity book to help kids understand the significance of Waitangi Day.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi

This comic provides a fresh approach to the story of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, New Zealand’s founding document.

Waitangi Day incidents

Waitangi Day incidents

The Treaty of Waitangi was signed on 6 February 1940, and in 1960 the Waitangi Day Act declared 6 February as a national day of thanksgiving to celebrate the signing of the treaty. This set covers ...

Waitangi 175

A day-by-day account of the signing of te Tiriti o Waitangi, using records from Archives New Zealand. Originally linked to real-time tweets on www.twitter.com/archivesnz

Waitangi Treaty House and grounds, Waitangi

Waitangi Treaty House and grounds, Waitangi

Aerial photograph taken by Whites Aviation. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative, 1/2 plate

Waitangi Treaty House and grounds, Waitangi

Waitangi Treaty House and grounds, Waitangi

Aerial photograph taken by Whites Aviation. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative, 1/2 plate

Treaty of Waitangi Monument, Te Tii Marae grounds, Waitangi

Treaty of Waitangi Monument, Te Tii Marae grounds, Waitangi

Photograph taken by Whites Aviation. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative, ¼ plate

Waitangi House, Waitangi, Bay of Islands, Northland, New Zealand

Waitangi House, Waitangi, Bay of Islands, Northland, New Zealand

View of the meeting house called Waitangi House, Waitangi, Bay of islands, Northland, New Zealand. Photographed by Whites Aviation in January 1952. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical...

Treaty House and garden, Waitangi

Treaty House and garden, Waitangi

Photograph taken by Whites Aviation. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Dry plate glass negative 3.25 x 4.25 inches

View of the Treaty house, Waitangi

View of the Treaty house, Waitangi

View of the verandah of the Treaty house, Waitangi, New Zealand, looking east across the grounds and including the meeting house. Photographed by Whites Aviataion in 1947. Quantity: 1 b&w original...

The Treaty of Waitangi

This website provides a brief history of New Zealand as well as information about the Treaty of Waitangi.

The Treaty of Waitangi, an explanation

The Treaty of Waitangi explained by Sir Apirana Ngata

Te Tai – Treaty settlement stories

Te tai connects the people of New Zealand with Treaty settlement stories. It includes research articles, immersive web stories, full-feature documentaries, oral history interviews and a range of ed...

Hikoi- Tame Iti and Whina Cooper lead the Māori Land March in 1975

View (or print) the curiosity card about hikoi. Use the card’s fertile questions to inspire inquiry. Follow the link for more resources to help with teaching and learning.

He Tohu – learning activities

Use these activities to inspire and inform students as they explore concepts related to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Are we there yet?

Review of the book ‘Are We There Yet? The future of the Treaty of Waitangi’ by Gareth Morgan and Susan Guthrie.

Working to put things right: Settling Treaty of Waitangi claims

For many years, Parliament has been working with successive governments to improve Crown–Māori relations by putting Treaty of Waitangi settlements into law.

The significance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi

The signing of the treaty confirmed formal European settlement in New Zealand. But debate and confusion have continued ever since.

The trail of Waitangi

The trail of Waitangi- event leading to Treaty.

Press proof of Treaty of Waitangi in Maori

Press proof copy of text of Treaty of Waitangi in Māori.

Research papers

Negotiating history: crown apologies in New Zealand’s historical Treaty of Waitangi settlements

This article outlines the development of the Treaty settlement process and the role of the Crown’s apology to Maori claimant groups in the reconciliation process.

Treaty cartoons

These cartoons use humour to explore some of the issues, events, and points of view relating to the Treaty.

Ngā Tohu Wāhine and Te Tiriti o Waitangi

The tohu of wāhine appear on three of the nine sheets; Waitangi, Raukawa-Moana Cook Strait and Waikato-Manukau.

The Treaty day-by-day

A day-by-day account of the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in 1840.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi

A comprehensive coverage of the Treaty of Waitangi from Archives New Zealand.

Treaty-making in the Pacific in the nineteenth century and the Treaty of Waitangi

Places the Treaty of Waitangi in the historical context of other treaties made between Pacific Island countries and European states in the 1800s.

The Treaty of Waitangi and the 1835 Declaration of Independence

Differing viewpoints among Ngāpuhi and other Northland residents about the status and relevance of the Treaty of Waitangi in modern times.

The French alternative to the Treaty of Waitangi

Comparing the French perceptions of conquest, Māori, sovereignty and land ownership with the English ideas of the day, by studying the differences between the deeds of sale the French used to buy M...

Keeping promises: The Treaty Settlement process. School Journal: Year 8: November 2017.

This article describes the confiscation of Maori land after the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. It explores the Native Land Court, protest from Māori, the setting up of the Waitangi Tribunal, and th...

The stones are talking

The Waitangi Tribunal has just released the first part of its findings on the treaty claims of Ngapuhi and other iwi from the north. Read this article and other from New Zealand Geographic availab...

What happened at Waitangi? by Claudia Orange

Read this book online and others on the Treaty of Waitangi from the Treaty of Waitangi Collection available through EPIC. School login maybe required.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi, 1840

Read this book online and others on the Treaty of Waitangi from The New Zealand History Collection and the Treaty of Waitangi Collection available through EPIC. School login maybe required.

Find more information on this topic on EPIC. Databases recommended: New Zealand Geographic, Australia/New Zealand Reference Centre Plus and New Zealand History Collection (BWB). School login maybe ...

Waitangi – birds eye view.

Waitangi as seen on Google Earth.

Waitangi – a special place name in New Zealand’s history

Waitangi in the Bay of Islands, where the Treaty was signed in 1840, has a special place in New Zealand’s history.

Treaty of Waitangi invoked

Mr T Makitanara of United Southern Māori quotes from the Treaty of Waitangi to justify fishing rights.

Local Māori chiefs meet to sign the Treaty of Waitangi in Auckland

Scene at the mouth of the Tamaki River, Auckland, when local Maori chiefs met to sign the Treaty of Waitangi in July 1840.

A portrait of Queen Victoria who occupied the British throne at the time of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.

Waitangi’s story

Connect with the land, people and history at Aotearoa New Zealand’s most important historic site.

He Whakaputanga, English

He Whakaputanga, English

He Whakaputanga was signed on 28 October 1835 declaring New Zealand an independent nation. These resources cover the declaration, its significance, the articles, translations, signatories and why t...

He Whakaputanga, Te Reo Māori

He Whakaputanga, Te Reo Māori

Kua whiriwhiria e mātou ēnei rauemi hei tautoko koe inā hiahia koe ki ngā mōhiohio e pā ana ki He Whakaputanga. SCIS no: 1852798

Colonial Life in New Zealand

Colonial Life in New Zealand

Colonial New Zealand covers the years 1769-1914. The resources include European discovery of New Zealand, contact with Māori, New Zealand wars, Pākehā colonisation, social life, economy, politics a...

Journey of the Treaty of Waitangi

Journey of the Treaty of Waitangi

The journey of Treaty of Waitangi and its signatories is as important as the Treaty itself. This topic includes the events that followed the signing, and the shifting attitudes toward the Treaty ov...

Māori history post-European arrival

Māori history post-European arrival

The arrival of Captain Cook initiated a dynamic but increasingly unequal relationship between Māori and Pakeha through colonialism. From the Treaty of Waitangi and the New Zealand wars to land marc...

Māori Religious Movements

Māori Religious Movements

Pre-European Māori recognised a hierarchy of gods and spiritual influences that connected the community with the environment. While colonialism led to many Māori converting to Christianity it also ...

New Zealand History

New Zealand History

The Māori were the first settlers of Aotearoa, followed by the Europeans. Discover the history of New Zealand’s landscape, its people, events, places, identity and cultures from sites like Te Ara, ...

New Zealand Wars

New Zealand Wars

The wars between the British Crown and Māori began in the 1840s. This topic covers the causes, participants, effects, movements and the battles fought on New Zealand soil. It also includes the cont...

Parihaka

Parihaka was invaded on 5 November 1881. These resources cover the causes, the Day of Plunder, the peace prophets (Te Whiti and Tohu), their non-violent passive resistance to the confiscation of Mā...