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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

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 ...

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

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, 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 ...

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

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...

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.

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.

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.

Treaty of Waitangi

An audio collection which explores the history of the Treaty of Waitangi.

Te Karere – Waitangi Day 1984

This special 1984 episode of long-running te reo news show Te Karere looks at Waitangi Day. Derek Fox, who founded Te Karere, is the reporter. Fox follows the journey north of a train hired by memb...

“The Signing of the Treaty of Waitangi”, Ōriwa Haddon

“The Signing of the Treaty of Waitangi”, Ōriwa Haddon

Ōriwa Tahupōtiki Haddon was a public figure known for his orator abilities as a broadcaster, Methodist minister and Māori advocate. A pharmacist by trade Haddon was also an accomplished artist. T...

Treaty settlements

See the settlements of longstanding Treaty grievances between iwi and the Crown since the early 1990s to today.

The voyages of Te Tiriti o Waitangi

See the voyage of the 9 sheets of the Treaty over 8 months in 1840 across New Zealand. The sheets went to 45 locations and gathered 542 signatures.

Interview with Hana Olds

Young New Zealander Hana Olds speaks about her views of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Aotearoa History Show Episode 4: Te Tiriti o Waitangi

In part four, Māori and Pākehā wrestle with how to share Aotearoa, the New Zealand Company is formed and Te Tiriti o Waitangi is signed.

Māori and the royal family

Māori have a separate political relationship with the royal family because Queen Victoria was formally the British partner in the Treaty of Waitangi signed with tribes in 1840, and from that flowed...

Waitangi Day – how will you commemorate?

Resources and suggestions for commemorating Waitangi Day in schools from Te Kete Ipurangi (TKI).

Te Tiriti o Waitangi, School Journal, Level 3: August 2017

This straightforward article explains what the Treaty of Waitangi is, why it was needed, and what it says.

Without He Whakaputanga, there might have been no Treaty of Waitangi

He Whakaputanga — The Declaration of Independence of New Zealand, 1835 — has often been regarded as no more than a minor prelude on the journey to the Treaty of Waitangi. But without it, there migh...

Human rights and the Treaty of Waitangi

Resources from the Human Rights Commission on Treaty issues.

Dr Claudia Orange – the Treaty of Waitangi

Historian Dr Claudia Orange is interviewed about her book 'The Treaty of Waitangi' in 1987. The book explains the treaty, the events leading up to it, and the different interpretations of it by Māo...

The woman who would not sign

There are many parliaments around the world, but only the New Zealand Parliament incorporates the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi into its work.

Te Ti marae and memorial, where the chiefs camped overnight before signing the Treaty of Waitangi.

Pūmuka’s flag

Gifted to Northland chief Pūmuka by James Busby in 1834, Pūmuka’s flag was present at the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, and is a national treasure.

Commemorate, celebrate: Waitangi Day in Aotearoa

A blog post from Te Papa Tongarewa’s Matariki Williams, a Māori curator.

Treaty signatories and signing locations

The Treaty of Waitangi was signed on nine separate sheets by more than 500 Māori. Follow links to view each sheet, including a transcript and details about signatories.

Waitangi Day was first officially commemorated in 1934, and it has been a public holiday since 1974.

A treaty: Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Information about Te Tiriti from He Tohu.

Treaty of Waitangi

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

Octagonal, white glazed porcelain plate commemorating 150 years since the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Brown and beige picture on plate depicts the signing of the Treaty with gilt script "Te ...

Missionary Henry Williams, about 1865

He pikitia o James Busby, ko te āpiha o Piritene i Aotearoa i te tau 1833 ki 1840.

William Hobson was lieutenant-governor from 1840 to 1841 and governor from 1841 to 1842

Phalanx of straining police near Parliament. Waitangi Day protests, Wellington

Phalanx of straining police near Parliament. Waitangi Day protests, Wellington

Image of the Ngāpuhi warrior and chief Te Ruki Kawiti

Tāmati Waka Nene

Tāmati Waka Nene

Photograph of Ngāpuhi chief Tāmati Waka Nene.

Hōne Heke, Kawiti and Hariata Rongo

Hōne Heke, Kawiti and Hariata Rongo

In this 1846 painting by Joseph Merrett, Hōne Heke stands in front of his wife Hariata and ally Kawiti

Treaty protest posters: ‘The treaty is a fraud’

Treaty protest posters: ‘The treaty is a fraud’

This poster from about the late 1970s expresses the frustration and impatience of the Māori land-rights movement in that period. In the first years after its formation in 1975, the Waitangi Tribuna...

Reflecting on Waitangi

Waitangi Day has been officially commemorated since 1934. This 20-minute programme reflects on how the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi has been observed over time.

Top results for Treaty of Waitangi from AnyQuestions

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Te Tiriti o Waitangi - The Treaty of Waitangi was a treaty signed by British leaders and Māori chiefs. It was signed...

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