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6 February 2024
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New Zealand’s national day. Every year on 6 February – Waitangi Day – people of all communities and backgrounds gather at Waitangi to commemorate the first signing of New Zealand’s founding document: Te Tiriti o Waitangi, The Treaty of Waitangi, on 6 February 1840.
Waitangi Day is recognised as New Zealand’s national day and is the most important marker in the country’s history.
Ongoing recognition of the Treaty of Waitangi as the nation’s founding document will continue to keep this celebration alive, as the Treaty continues to live as part of New Zealand’s past, present and future.
On the 6 February the Treaty Grounds closes its buildings for the day and the Grounds become the location for the Waitangi Day Festival. The free festival at the Treaty Grounds starts at 5am with a dawn service in Te Whare Rūnanga.
All-day entertainment creates a fun, festival atmosphere, with performance stages on the Upper Treaty Grounds, at the Te Korowai ō Maikuku and on the sports field opposite the Treaty Grounds. More than 150 market stalls offer an amazing array of art and crafts, clothing and a wide variety of food options. Children’s activities include bouncy castles, kids racing cars and sports games.