Waitangi Treaty Grounds

No trip to New Zealand could be complete, without first discovering the place where today's Aotearoa (Maori name for NZ- land of the long white cloud) began. Waitangi is a very signifiant part of New Zealand heritage, as it was on this site that a turning point in NZ history occured.

I was lucky enough to get a beautiful sunny day to view this amazing place, as well as catching one of the cultural shows performed on site. For anyone visiting NZ, this really is a place you cannot miss - and besides it's surrounded by fabulous waters and is set in the Winterless North!!

The Treaty of Waitangi was signed on 6th February 1840 and it was drawn up as an agreement which was meant to see the British immigrants and Maoris, living together as one nation. By May 1840 British Sovereignty had been proclaimed over the entire country of New Zealand, and by that September over 500 Maori chiefs had signed the treaty.

Some people believe that the British cheated the Maori people through their words in the agreement, forcing the chiefs to find little solution to the continuing troubles in their lands, caused by both foreigners and natives. Whatever is believed, the treaty is still very relevant to the country of New Zealand today, in guarenteeing the rights of both Maori and non-Maori citizens. More information can be found at www.waitangi.net.nz