Waitangi In The Bay of Islands

Waitangi in the Bay of Islands, is a fascinating and beautiful place on the Far North Island of New Zealand. It is located on the north side of the Waitangi River, approximately 60 kilometers north of Whangarei.

If you’re staying in the nearby town of Paihia, you can quickly get to Waitangi via the bridge near the mouth of the Waitangi River estuary. You can also reach Waitangi by ferry, which connects Russell and Waitangi and takes around 10 minutes. The tickets cost between NZD$ 15 and NZD$ 22. The ferry covers a distance of approximately 3 km and is operated by Explore Group.

The name “Waitangi” comes from the Māori language. It means “noisy waters” or “weeping waters,” possibly about the Haruru Falls on the Waitangi River.

So, if you’re ever in the Bay of Islands, don’t forget to check out Waitangi!

The Waitangi Treaty Grounds

The Waitangi Treaty Grounds has been open to the public since 1934. The Treaty House was formerly occupied by James Busby and his wife, Agnes Busby. It was restored in the 1930s to prepare for the New Zealand Centenary in 1940. It marked the first time the Treaty gained Pākehā attention since the 19th century.

The Te Whare Rūnanga, a beautifully carved Māori meeting house, was built near the Treaty House in 1939 and opened on 6 February 1940. Although it’s not an authentic Marae, the area of the whare is sometimes used as if it is a Marae and referred to as the “upper Marae.” There’s another marae, Te Tii Waitangi, in Te Tī Bay on the south side of the Waitangi River that is sometimes referred to.

The Treaty House

The building had served as the official residence of the British Government representative in New Zealand.

It consisted of a living room, a large bedroom, a central hall, and a small dressing room. A separate building also housed the kitchen, storeroom, and servants’ room. In 1841, three additional bedrooms were added to accommodate James Busby’s growing family.

After the property was sold in 1882, the house was neglected for 50 years and fell into disrepair. The estate was divided, and several homes were built where Ngātokimatawhaorua now stands.

In 1932, Governor-General Lord Bledisloe and Lady Bledisloe visited Waitangi at the request of Vernon Reed MP and were moved by the site’s significance. They purchased the house and surrounding lands and gifted the entire estate to the people of New Zealand as a national memorial for the Treaty. The house underwent significant restoration twice – first in 1933, when it was renamed the Treaty House, and again in 1989.

Today, visitors can explore several themed rooms, including the entrance area, the first British Residency in New Zealand that doubled as James Busby’s office. Two rooms are dedicated to the Busby family story and what life must have been like for James, Agnes, and their children. The parlor, where the finishing touches were made to the Treaty of Waitangi, explores Busby’s influence on the English version and his final touches to Rev Henry Williams’ Māori translation.

Te Whare Rūnanga

Te Whare Rūnanga, opened in 1940, symbolizes the partnership between Māori and the British Crown that founded Aotearoa, New Zealand. It’s a beautiful place to explore and learn about Māori stories and carving styles from many different tribes nationwide. Plus, it’s a great way to bring all New Zealanders together.

Te Whare Rūnanga is a cool meeting house that Māori people built to celebrate the Treaty of Waitangi’s 100th anniversary. Tau Henare and Sir Āpirana Ngata were the ones who came up with the idea. They started carving the house in 1934 at Tau Henare’s home in Motatau. It was finally opened on February 6, 1940.

What It Represents?

The Māori people value meeting houses as they represent the prestige of their tribe. These houses are usually named after a tribal ancestor who embodies the house. The house’s design looks like the outstretched body of an ancestor.

The roof’s apex at the front represents the ancestor’s head. The main ridge beam of the house serves as the backbone, while the diagonal bargeboards that extend from the roof are the arms. The lower ends of the bargeboards represent fingers. The center pole symbolizes the heart. The rafters represent the ancestor’s ribs, and the house’s interior represents the ancestor’s chest and stomach.

Te Whare Rūnanga is a Māori meeting house representing unity across New Zealand. It displays various carving styles of iwi (tribes) and reflects Māori social and cultural life.

It was proposed jointly by Tau Henare and Sir Āpirana Ngata to contribute to the Treaty of Waitangi centenary commemorations. The carving started at Tau Henare’s home in 1934. It opened on February 6, 1940, marking exactly 100 years since the Treaty’s first signing.

Why Meeting houses are important

Meeting houses are important in Māori culture and represent tribal prestige. They’re often named after tribal ancestors, believed to embody the house. The house structure is designed to resemble the outstretched body of an ancestor, with the roof’s apex at the front representing the ancestor’s head.

Te Whare Rūnanga is a Māori carving that represents the unity of Māori people in New Zealand.

It doesn’t represent any specific ancestor. Instead, it showcases the unique carving styles of iwi (tribes) from across the country.

The building serves as a gallery of Māori art and reflects Māori social and cultural life.

Are Waitangi Treaty Grounds Worth Visiting?

The Waitangi Treaty Grounds in New Zealand is an incredible place with so much significance in the country’s history. It’s definitely a must-visit destination for anyone interested in learning about the past.

The grounds are home to several landmarks and attractions that offer a glimpse into the significant events that have shaped New Zealand over the centuries. For instance, you can explore the historic Treaty House, where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between Maori chiefs and the British Crown in 1840. It’s fascinating! You can also visit Te Whare Runanga, a fully carved Maori meeting house symbolizing Maori culture and heritage. The gardens and forests surrounding the grounds provide a relaxing stroll and breathtaking views of the Bay of Islands.

The Waitangi Treaty Grounds is a place where history comes alive, and you get to learn so much about the rich and complex history of New Zealand.

So, if you’re interested in understanding the past and present of this beautiful country, make sure to visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

You won’t regret it!