About Us

The Waitangi Treaty Grounds, overlooking the Bay of Islands, is New Zealand's pre-eminent historic site.

It was here on February 6th, 1840, that the Treaty of Waitangi was first signed between Maori and the British Crown.

The Treaty Grounds are part of the 506 hectare Waitangi National Trust estate, which was gifted to the nation by Lord and Lady Bledisloe in 1932. In the Deed of Gift, Lord Bledisloe stipulated that the estate was never to be a burden on the tax payer, and as such it is not government funded. The estate is administered by the Waitangi National Trust Board, whose members represent various sections of New Zealand people.

 

Features of the Treaty Grounds include:

  • The Treaty House - built for the first British Resident, James Busby and his family. It is one of New Zealand's oldest and most visited historic homes

  • Te Whare Runanga - fully carved Maori Meeting House, which is representative of all Iwi (regional tribes) in New Zealand

  • Ngatokimatawhaorua - one of the world's largest Maori ceremonial war canoes

  • The imposing Naval flagstaff - which marks the place where the Treaty of Waitangi was first signed

  • Waitangi Visitor Centre - with an audio visual show outlining the history of Waitangi and the Bay of Islands and live cultural performances

  • Gift shop - authentic gifts and quality souvenirs

  • Artefacts gallery

  • Guided tours and Cultural performances

  • Educational programmes for school children and adults.

  • Waikokopu Cafe - awarded cuisine, fine wine and seriously good coffee

  • Waitangi Cafe (just inside the entrance) offers an extensive range of drinks and tasty snacks

  • Extensive park-like grounds with abundant native bird life, heritage gardens, trees, and mangrove boardwalk

  • Stunning sea views of the Bay of Islands

 

Various venues are available for hire for weddings, anniversaries, private functions and small meetings. You can choose from lawns with stunning ocean vistas, exotic native bush, historic buildings and gardens of national significance, and a modern boardroom with catering facilities. Marquees are also available for hire.

 

The Waitangi National Trust estate is also home to the spectacular 18 hole Waitangi Golf Course, Waitangi Bowling Club and Bay of Islands Yacht Club.

 

The Waitangi Treaty Grounds opens daily at 9.00 a.m. excluding Christmas Day.