Waitangi
Treaty
Grounds
New Zealand’s most important historic site
• NEW Day Pass
• Guided Tours
• NEW Museum of Waitangi
• Cultural Performances
• Hāngi & Concert
• Whare Waka Café
1
Waitangi Treaty Grounds (foreground)
in the beautiful Bay of Islands
Welcome
Take an enlightening journey through
history at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
Stand on the spot where New Zealand’s founding
document – the Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti o
Waitangi) - was signed on 6 February 1840, and
find out more about how this document has
forged the unique land that we now call Aotearoa
New Zealand.
See the historic Treaty House, the magnificently
carved meeting house and the world’s largest
ceremonial war canoe. Explore our brand new,
state of the art Museum of Waitangi, just opened
on 7 February. Take in the ground floor exhibition
Ko Waitangi Tenei (This is Waitangi) with its
multi-media displays and significant taonga
(treasures), and first floor gallery exhibition.
Sit back and watch the introductory film in the
Visitor Centre, browse the quality selection in the
gift shop and enjoy a delicious lunch at Whare
Waka Café.
The world’s largest ceremonial war canoe, Ngātokimatawhaorua
The historic Treaty House, built in the 1830s
Our new all-inclusive Day Pass allows you to
experience all the Waitangi Treaty Grounds has
to offer by day and our Hāngi & Concert will top
off a summers evening with a themed intimate
experience not to be missed.
We look forward to seeing you at the Waitangi
Treaty Grounds soon.
Te Whare Rūnanga (the carved meeting house)
2
Waitangi Day Pass
The new Day Pass is the ultimate Waitangi Treaty Grounds experience.
Spend half a day exploring the grounds while
soaking up the scenery and story of New
Zealand’s most important historic site.
Your Day Pass includes:
• Admission to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds
• Entry to the brand new Museum of Waitangi
• An informative Guided Tour with one of our
local guides (50 minutes)
• A high-energy, entertaining Cultural
Performance (30 minutes)
• The Waitangi – Birthplace of a Nation
introductory film (22 minutes)
• Full access to New Zealand’s most important
historic site, featured icons, bush walks and
spectacular Bay of Islands views
Available everyday:
Duration: Half day
Price:
Adult NZ resident (ID required)
Child (up to 18 years)
$40.00
$20.00
Free*
*Children must be accompanied by a parent or
caregiver. Price not valid for schools or groups.
NEW in 2016
Make the most
of your visit.
Day Pass valid for two
consecutive days!
3
Museum of
Waitangi
Museum
of Waitangi
Included in the Day Pass is entry to the
Museum of Waitangi.
The Museum of Waitangi, opened on 7 February 2016. The two
storey museum houses a permanent exhibition Ko Waitangi
Tenei on the ground floor and changing exhibitions, along with
an education centre on the first floor.
The Museum of Waitangi enhances the Waitangi Treaty Grounds
experience by introducing the story of the area and its people
through high quality exhibition and learning spaces, making
use of multi-media and visual displays. Significant taonga
(treasures) associated with Waitangi were scattered throughout
New Zealand and have now made the journey home to take their
place in the Museum of Waitangi.
4
Guided Tours
Your Day Pass includes a Guided Tour of the Treaty Grounds.
A large copy of the Treaty of Waitangi in
the Visitor Centre sets the scene for your
informative tour. Stepping outside takes you
through lush native forest to the sparkling
waters of the bay, where you’ll discover
Ngātokimatawhaorua, the world’s largest
ceremonial war canoe. The story of the journey
of Māori ancestors to Aotearoa is revealed before
you continue along a gently sloping track to the
flagstaff. Underneath the flagstaff is the very
spot where the Treaty was signed in 1840.
Your Guided Tour ends in front of the Treaty
House and Meeting House, with breath
taking views of the Bay of Islands and a new
appreciation for New Zealand’s history.
Daily tours
Duration: 50 minutes
Every hour on the hour
10am to 4pm
Included in the Day Pass (see page 4 for prices)
NEW in 2015
Personal audio devices
We make sure you get the best
tour experience and hear all the
guide’s informative commentary
with the introduction of audio
sets with earpieces for
each visitor.
5
Cultural Performances
Follow a Guided Tour with an entertaining Cultural Performance, included in
your Day Pass.
All visitors gather outside the majestic carved
meeting house (Te Whare Rūnanga) where
Te Pitowhenua, our resident performing
arts group, will welcome you inside with a
traditional Māori welcome (powhiri).
Seated in stunning carved surroundings
that depict history and genealogy, the scene
is set for a high-energy show. Poi twirling,
Māori weaponry, stick games, heavenly
harmonies and a traditional haka will leave
you spellbound. After the show there is an
opportunity to meet the performers, ask
questions and take photos with them.
Daily performance schedule
October and November:
11am, 1pm and 3pm
December to March:
11am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3.30pm
April to September:
11am, 1pm and 2pm
Duration: 30 minutes
Included in the Day Pass (see page 4 for prices)
6
Hāngi & Concert
Long summer evenings in the Bay of Islands lend themselves perfectly to a twilight
cultural experience.
Your night begins at Whare Waka Café within the
Treaty Grounds, a charming setting to mix and
mingle with a drink while your host introduces
the intimate themed evening. You will then
gather around the contemporary hāngi pit
(earth oven) for the unveiling of the food, giving
you a tantalising taste of the dinner to come.
During a short bush walk you will experience a
traditional Māori challenge (wero) and welcome
(powhiri), before arriving at the carved meeting
house for your Cultural Performance.
Return across the grounds to enjoy a delicious
buffet dinner of various meats, stuffing, vegetables,
breads, salads and steamed pudding. This really is
your ultimate immersion in Māori culture.
Available 1 December to 30 March
Tuesday and Thursday evenings,
6pm – 8.30pm
Maximum of 50 people
Prices:
Adult $105.00
Child (5 - 15years) $50.00
Complimentary
Drink + Day Pass
now included!
Get more with your Hāngi &
Concert ticket – now includes
a complimentary drink on arrival
at Whare Waka Café and
a Day Pass for the
Treaty Grounds.
7
Whare Waka Café
Open daily from 9am to 4pm, the fully licensed
Whare Waka Café offers a wide selection of
cabinet and à la carte food. Choose from the cosy
ambience indoors or the outdoor area surrounded
by native bush, overlooking the world’s largest
ceremonial war canoe and the beautiful
Bay of Islands.
In summer (1 December– 30 March) Whare
Waka Café also offers a Hāngi & Concert themed
evening on Tuesday and Thursday
(See page 5 for details)
Gift Shop
Our gift shop is located in the Visitor Centre and
features a wide selection of specialised books,
high quality Māori carvings, jewellery, gifts
and souvenirs. Choose from a special range of
products including a large number of local and
NZ made pieces.
Waitangi – Birthplace of
a Nation Introductory Film
Sit back in our purpose-built theatre in the Visitor Centre and
enjoy a 22 minute overview of the importance of New Zealand’s
premier historic site in Waitangi – Birthplace of a Nation.
8
Waitangi
Day
Every year on Waitangi Day,
6 February, New Zealanders of all
communities and backgrounds gather
to commemorate the signing of the
Treaty of Waitangi. Waitangi Day at the
Treaty Grounds starts at 5am with the
traditional Dawn Service in the carved
meeting house. Throughout the day
there is continuous entertainment,
children’s activities and over 100
market stalls offering food, art, craft
and clothing.
9
Ngātokimatawhaorua on the water for Waitangi Day festivities
Top: Crowd gathers in front of the Flagpole, Waitangi Treaty Grounds
Above: Royal NZ Navy Band Beat the Retreat on 5 February
Waitangi
Treaty Grounds
Waitangi
Golf Course
The Carved
Meeting House
Flagstaff
Hobson
Memorial
Cameli
a
Treaty
House
ck
Tra
sT
ra c
k
Visitor
Museum
Centre
of Waitangi & Shop
k
N
ia
alls Trac
Haruru F
Whare
Waka
Café
bsons B
Ho
ea
Exit
Main
Entrance
Carpark
Paihia
2 min drive
25 min walk
ch
Paths
Ceremonial
War Canoes
Walking Tracks
Toilets
Bush
10
OPENING HOURS
Open daily except Christmas Day
To
H
aru
(1.5
hr
ru
wa
lk)
Fa
ll
s
26 December to 29 February: 9am – 6pm
WAITANGI
1 March to 24 December: 9am – 5pm
CONTACT DETAILS
RUSSELL
Waitangi Treaty Grounds,
1 Tau Henare Drive, Waitangi,
Bay of Islands
MOTUMAIRE
ISLAND
0800 9248 2644 (Free phone within NZ)
+64 9 402 7437
[email protected]
Paihia to Waitangi
Treaty Grounds
(25min walk)
www.waitangi.org.nz
Paihia-Russell
Passenger Ferry
PAIHIA
Public Reserve
Terms & Conditions
Prices in this brochure are valid to October 2016.
Bookings may be cancelled without penalty up to 48
hours before date of travel. Cancellations within 48
hours of date of travel or a no show may be charged in
full. Promotions or special prices are not to be used in
conjunction with any other offer and are subject to the
terms and conditions stated in each promotion, which
may differ from offer to offer. In the unlikely event that
a booked experience is cancelled due to unforeseen
circumstances, Waitangi National Trust will refund the
paid amount in full. WAITANGI 2016.
Walking Track
Toilets
Playground
Golf Course
DIRECTIONS:
The Waitangi Treaty Grounds are located in the
Bay of Islands, just a three hour drive north of
Auckland. From the nearest township of Paihia it is
an easy 25 minute walk along the beachfront or a
two minute drive with convenient parking outside
our main entrance.