Toitu Te tiriti – Honour Te Tiriti
Waitangi Day has been a significant day on New Zealand’s calendar since the Treaty of Waitangi was first signed in 1840. The flagstaff which stands on the Upper Treaty Grounds marks the location of the first Treaty signing by representatives of the British Crown and over 40 rangatira (chiefs) on 6 February 1840.
On 5 February 1840 a marquee was erected on the lawn in front of the home of the British resident, James Busby. Captain William Hobson presented a proposal for the attending chiefs to agree to British settlement in New Zealand. The meeting lasted throughout the day, during which the chiefs vigorously debated the proposed Treaty, with some rangatira supporting the Treaty and others opposed to it. The discussions continued that night across the Waitangi River at what is now Te Tii Marae.
On February 6 the rangatira returned to the marquee at Waitangi, where over 40 signed the Māori version of the document, now known as Te Tiriti o Waitangi. By September 1840 over 500 leaders from throughout New Zealand had signed the document.
Across the motu, communities are gathering to reflect, kōrero, and take action for a future built on equity and tino rangatiratanga. From dawn ceremonies to whānau-friendly events, there are many ways to connect, learn, and uphold the promise of Te Tiriti. As we all celebrate around the world, we remind ourselves of the commitment to justice and Kotahitanga (unity)
Find an event near you and be part of shaping the future of Aotearoa, together.
Waitangi / Te Taitokerau: https://www.waitangi.org.nz/whats-on/waitangi-day
Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland:
What: Waitangi @ Waititi 2025 https://www.facebook.com/events/950233683618549/
Where/When: Parrs Park, Glen Eden, 9am – 4pm
Hastings
Waitangi Day Family Celebrations, 9am to 4pm Thursday 6 Feb Mitre10 Park Hawke’s Bay, Percival Rd, Hastings. https://www.facebook.com/kahungunuwaitangiday
Pōneke | Wellington:
What: Waitangi Day 2025: Kotahitanga & Solidarity Hīkoi; https://www.facebook.com/events/7802742603184085
Where/When: Pukeahu National War Memorial Park, 10am
Porirua:
What: Waitangi Day in Porirua
Where and when: Te Rauparaha Park, 12pm – 5pm
Ōtaki:
What: Waitangi ki Taumanuka 2025
Where/When: 29 Health Camp Rd, Otaki Beach, 10am – 3pm
Whaitara | New Plymouth:
What: Honour Te Tiriti: Activation and voices of change
Where/When: Ōwae Marae Whaitara, 11 North St, Waitara. Event starts 5.30pm Wednesday 5 February
Rotorua:
What: Waitangi Day at Te Puia
Where/When: Te Puia, 20 Hemo Road, Rotorua, 9.30am – 3pm
What: Waitangi Mō te aroha o te iwi – For the Love of the People
Where/When: Wai Ariki Hot Spring and Spa, 1047 Whakaue St, Rotorua, 10am-3pm
Tauranga:
What: Waitangi Day Festival 2025
Where/When: The Historic Village, 155 Seventeenth Ave, Tauranga, 10am-3pm
Te Papa-i-Oea | Palmerston North:
What: Waitangi Day 2025
Where/When: Te Marae o Hine | The Square, 10am-2pm
Ōtāne:
What: Ōtāne Waitangi Day Fair
Where/When: Town Hall, 27 Higginson St, Ōtāne, 9am-2pm
Kirikiriroa | Hamilton:
What: Waitangi Day Festival
Where/When: 1 Grantham Street, Hamilton, 10am-5pm
Ōtepoti | Dunedin:
What: Waitangi Day Whānau Festival
Where/When: The Octagon, 11am-1pm
Whakatū | Nelson:
What: Waitangi Day at Whakatū Marae and Founders Heritage Park
Where/When: 9am pōwhiri at Whakatu Marae, 121 Atawhai Dr, Atawhai then at Founders Heritage Park, 87 Atawhai Dr 10am-3pm
Ōtautahi | Christchurch:
What: Waitangi Day Hīkoi Ōtautahi
Where/When: Victoria Sq to New Brighton, 11am-3pm
Akaroa:
What: Waitangi Day 2025 Commemorations (Including Prime Minister Chrisopher Luxon)
Where/When: Ōnuku Marae, Akaroa (will be livestreamed), from 9am
