Waitangi Treaty Grounds

In 1840, the Treaty of Waitangi (the founding document of modern New Zealand) was signed between the British and the Maori.

There are various historic buildings that can be visited in the grounds (though the Treaty document itself is in Wellington). I only had time to visit the great Maori war canoe (Ngatokimatawhaorua), which is housed in its own shelter with beautiful carvings. It’s an amazing sight – I would love to see it in action on Waitangi Day when it takes to the water.