Waitangi, Northland
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Waitangi is a township located in the
Bay of Islands on the
North Island of
New Zealand. It is located close to the town of
Paihia (of which it is now considered a part), 60 kilometres north of
Whangarei. The name means
weeping waters in
Māori.
Founding of a nation
The
Treaty of Waitangi (
Te Tiriti o Waitangi) was signed on
February 6,
1840 in a marquee erected in the grounds of
James Busby's house at Waitangi by representatives of the British Crown, the chiefs of the Confederation of the United Tribes of New Zealand, and other
Māori tribal leaders. The Treaty made New Zealand a
British colony and is generally considered the founding document of New Zealand as a nation.
Waitangi Day is the annual celebration of the signing, and is New Zealand's national holiday.
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