Waitangi

First European explorers such as Abel Tasman and James Cook started their attempts of claiming the new land. Therefore, the tension started to build up between local tribes and visitors started to build up. At some point the conflict was almost ready to occur. Europeans kept ignoring Māori traditions and ways of living, insulting the people of the land (Tangata Whenua). However, the mutually beneficial trade strengthened, the desire of learning and understanding started to grow on both Māori and European sides.

In 1835 the Declaration of Independence was signed by 35 Māori Chiefs in Waitangi concerned by the rising numbers of Europeans. As the results of becoming more dependent on each other, 5 years later, in 1940 the Treaty of Waitangi was drafted by Captain William Hobson. Also, the was document translated into Māori by Reverend Henry Williams i before being presented to local chiefs. The Māori version of the Treaty (Te Tiriti o Waitangi) was signed at Waitangi on 6 February 1840. Most of the Māori chiefs signed the Treaty of Waitangi, but by 1945 there was a lot of discontent due to the difference in the translation of two versions. Particularly the issues were around key terms related to sovereignty and possession of lands and other properties.

In 1867 Māori got four seats in Parliament and after more than a 100 years of their persistence in 1975 Treaty of Waitangi Act was developed. At present, this Act helps to resolves all Treaty-related issues and claims.

Waitangi Treaty Grounds is the place to learn the story of how two peoples after winning the challenges can thrive together under the Treaty of Waitangi. Today, Waitangi Grounds is the place to experience the connection through people, events and treasures that formed New Zealand as a nation.