Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights & Activities
Waitangi Treaty Grounds
HISTORIC SITE
( 09-402 7437;
www.waitangi.net.nz
; 1 Tau Henare Dr; adult/child $25/free; 9am-5pm Mar-
Dec, to 7pm Jan-Feb)
Occupying a headland draped in lawns and bush, this is NZ's
most significant historic site. Here, on 6 February 1840, the first 43 Maori chiefs, after
much discussion, signed the Treaty of Waitangi with the British Crown; eventually, over
500 chiefs would sign it.
The Treaty House was built in 1832 as the four-room home of British resident James
Busby. It's now preserved as a memorial and museum containing displays, including a
copy of the treaty. Just across the lawn, the magnificently detailed
whare runanga
(meet-
ing house) was completed in 1940 to mark the centenary of the treaty. The fine carvings
represent the major Maori tribes. Near the cove is the 35m
waka taua
(war canoe), also
built for the centenary. A photographic exhibit details how it was fashioned from gigantic
kauri logs.
The importance of the treaty is well understood by a NZ audience, but visitors might
find it surprising that there's not more information displayed here about the role it has
played in the nation's history: the long litany of breaches by the Crown, the wars and
land confiscations that followed, and the protest movement that led to the current process
of redress for historic injustices.
International visitors will get more out of what is already quite a pricey admission fee
if they pay extra for a guided tour ($10) or cultural performance ($15). The 30-minute
performance (11am and 1pm) demonstrates traditional Maori song and dance, including
the
haka
(war dance). The Ultimate Combo (adult/child $40/free) is a combined ticket in-
cluding tour and performance. Other options include a Maori Cultural Workshop (adult/
child $60/35), and a
hangi
and concert (adult/child $105/50, Wednesday and Saturday
December to March) at the Treaty Ground's Whare Waka (
Click here
)
cafe.
Entry is free to NZ citizens upon presentation of a passport or drivers licence.
Haruru Falls
WATERFALL
(Haruru Falls Rd)
A walking track (1½ hours one way, 5km) leads from the Treaty Grounds
along the Waitangi River to these attractive horseshoe falls. Part of the path follows a
boardwalk through the mangroves. Otherwise you can drive here, turning right off Puket-
ona Rd onto Haruru Falls Rd.
St Paul's Church
CHURCH
