Visit Auckland and Northland
Waitangi is New Zealand’s pre-eminent historic site, known as the birthplace of the country. The treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840 between the New Zealand Maori and the British Crown in front of the house of the British Resident, James Busby. ‘The Residency’, with a beautiful sweep of lawn running down to the bay, has now been renamed the ‘Treaty House’ and became a national memorial in 1932. Inside are many photographs from the period, and there is also a copy of the original treaty, still forming the basis of New Zealand’s current constitution but now a highly contentious document. Across the lawn is an impressively detailed Maori meeting house, ‘Te Whare Runanga’, built to mark the centenary of the treaty, with fine carvings representing all the major Maori tribes. The grounds are surrounded by beautiful coastline scenery and guided tours are available or you can wander at your own pace.