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Whare Tiriti / The Treaty House

Bay of Islands, New Zealand

Whare Tiriti / The Treaty House

The Treaty House (Māori: Whare Tiriti) at Waitangi in Northland, New Zealand, is the former house of the British Resident in New Zealand, James Busby. The Treaty of Waitangi, a document that established the British Colony of New Zealand and which holds importance in the country's national mythos, wa

s signed in the grounds of the Treaty House on 6 February 1840. The grounds had previously been the site of other important events, such as the signing of the Declaration of the Independence of New Zealand in 1835. The house and grounds remained in private hands until 1932, when they were purchased by Governor-General Viscount Bledisloe and donated to the nation. They were dedicated as a national reserve in 1934, in a ceremony attended by thousands of people, both Māori and Pākehā, and including the Māori King. It was the site of another major event in 1940, when the centenary of the Treaty signing was celebrated. From 1947 the grounds became the site of annual Waitangi Day celebrations.

Listen to the audio guide for Whare Tiriti / The Treaty House Free on WIP — starts by itself when you arrive, even with the screen off

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