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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...

The Treaty of Waitangi — an explanation

Detailed explanation of the Treaty of Waitangi.

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.

Waitangi Treaty grounds

This website provides information and resources related the Treaty of Waitangi.

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.

Treaty settlement stories

The 1840 Treaty of Waitangi was meant to be a partnership between Māori and the British Crown. Governments breached (broke the terms of the treaty) almost from the time it was signed.

Waitangi - What Really Happened

The drama begins on 3rd of February, 1840 as Busby and Colenso have asked a number of significant Nga Puhi chiefs to converge to discuss the 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.