Waiitangi Treaty, Bay of Islands

We went to visit the site of the signing of the Waitangi Treaty signifying the birth of New Zealand as a country. At this site the much-contested treaty ws signed between the Maori Chiefs and the British Crown in 1840. It is a beautiful spot overlooking the Bay of Islands.


We were met by a very handsome and articulate young Maori who told us about the Maori who today represent about 16% of the population. No humans lived in NZ until the Maori arrived about 1000 years ago.


He told us about how visitors are greeted at the whare runanga (meeting house) and them shoeless we entered the ceremonial site.





Later we visited the colonial home of James Busby where the treaty was signed. Captain Cook was the first white man to arrive and setters came in the early 19th century from England.


Behind the home is a lovely garden.


Before leaving we were taken to see one of the largest war canoes or waka tauras which held over 120 warriors.





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