Waitangi
ATTRACTION Keywords:
Cultural Experience,
Walking/Hiking,
Town / City
The little town of Waitangi looms large in New Zealand’s national psyche. It was here in 1840 that the famous Treaty of Waitangi was signed by local Maori chiefs and representatives of Queen Victoria.
The Waitangi Treaty recognized Maori ownership of the land and promised equality as British subjects. However, the exact wording of the treaty has been disputed over the years and the annual Waitangi Day commemorations attract a mixed bag of celebration and protest.
All this history and more is explained at the Waitangi National Reserve, including audiovisual displays at the nearby visitor information center and colonial-style Treaty House, which features a facsimile of the treaty.
A must on every visitor to New Zealand’s list, the reserve hosts displays of singing and dancing, including the fearsome haka war dance. There are Maori guided tours of the nearby meeting house, garden tours and sound light shows.
Latest Reviews
Review by Roy S, April 2013
Doing what: Bay of Islands Tall Ship Sailing on R. Tucker Thompson including BBQ Lunch
What an excellent day! We helped put up and take down the sails, took our turn at the wheel and even climbed out on the bow spit! We climbed the hill when the ship anchored and were able to see across the Bay of Islands. On the way back we saw dolphins. The crew were brilliant in explaining what we were doing and why and with the other visitors being fun and friendly we had a wonderful day.
Review by Paula S, April 2013
Doing what: Bay of Islands Tall Ship Sailing on R. Tucker Thompson including BBQ Lunch
Five Star +
Review by IGORS J S, April 2013
Doing what: Bay of Islands Cape Brett 'Hole in the Rock' Cruise
We had a great cruise. The pilot was excellent in explaining the history of each island as we headed to the "Hole in the Rock". He had a great sense of humor and he was speaking distinctly over the intercom. The weather was sunny and warm and we had a number of great photo ops. The sea was a bit too rough to navigate through the hole but we were able to get very close to it for photos. A great value compared to what we would have had to pay if we had booked a similar cruise through our cruise liner.
