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TreasuresTo commemorate the gift of the Bledisloes, Sir Apirana Ngata, with Tau Henare, initiated plans for a carved Maori meeting house to be built on the Treaty Grounds. Te Whare Runanga, named Te Tiriti o Waitangi, was presented to the people of New Zealand on the centenary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi on the 6th February 1940. The centenary was also celebrated with the launch of the ceremonial waka Ngatokimatawhaorua. The building of the waka was inspired by Te Puea Herangi of Waikato. Housed at Hobson Beach on the estate, Ngatokimatawhaorua is one of the largest ceremonial waka (canoes) in the world. Ngatokimatawhaorua takes part in each Waitangi Day commemoration, requiring a minimum of 76 paddlers to handle it safely on the water. The Treaty House, the Whare Runanga and Ngatokimatawhaorua are the key taonga (treasures) of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, along with the natural beauty of the estate itself. Within and around these treasured buildings are many artefacts and artworks that are the taonga of the Trust. Some, such as our Goldie and other original paintings, are held and cared for securely by other professional insitutions such as Auckland City Art Gallery, Auckland War Memorial Museum, Te Papa/The Museum of New Zealand and the National Library. |
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