Ways to commemorate Waitangi Day in Wellington

Te Rā o Waitangi/Waitangi Day is an opportunity to reflect on Te Tiriti and celebrate our partnership between tangata whenua Māori and tangata tiriti (all other New Zealanders here by right of the Treaty whether born in Aotearoa New Zealand or a new migrant). Here are some ways to commemorate Waitangi Day in the capital.

Enjoy our Waitangi Day event

Celebrate Te Rā o Waitangi, Wellington City Council’s free, whānau-friendly event on Thursday 6 February from 12pm to 6pm.

Enjoy live performances from tangata whenua and tangata tiriti talent, kai stalls (including a fundraiser hāngi, don’t miss out!), arts and crafts, and The Eggfruit, an interactive voice recording activation by Barbarian Productions.

For the full programme, visit our events webpage.

Spend some time learning more about the history of this public holiday

Every year we get a day to commemorate Waitangi Day, but do you know the history behind the signing of this document and the events that followed?

Pop into a Wellington City Library and issue a book about the history of Waitangi Day, or use the eLibrary to access books from the comfort of your own home.

Need somewhere easy to start? Read about the history of Waitangi Day in Pōneke on our website.

A Maori kapa haka group perform at Waitangi Day celebrations in 1995. — A kapa haka group perform at Waitangi Day celebrations in 1995.

Explore some historical sites around Pōneke

Pōneke was inhabited by Māori long before Pākehā reached New Zealand’s shores. Take a walk and visit some remnants of pā in our parks and reserves around the city.

Some roots with historically significant spots include Makara Walkway, the Eastern Walkway and Te Ara o Nga Pā Tupuna.

Visit the Te Tiriti o Waitangi: Ngā tohu kotahitanga exhibition at Te Papa museum

Are you more of a visual learner? Pop in to Te Papa to learn more about Te Tiriti and how it shaped relationships between the peoples of Aotearoa.

You can also visit the original Treaty of Waitangi in the He Tohu exhibition at National Library, corner Molesworth and Aitken Streets.

Some of our facilities and services have reduced opening hours during holiday periods, so make sure to check out our holiday hours page before heading out.

Please note that the Council has been advised about a Tiriti Action Group hīkoi taking place on the morning of Thursday 6 February. The hīkoi will leave Pukeahu National War Memorial Park, heading down Tory Street, across Cable Street, and is expected to arrive in Waitangi Park around 11am.