Waitangi Day (Māori: Te Rā o Waitangi), the national day of New Zealand, marks the anniversary of the initial signing—on 6 February 1840—of the Treaty of Waitangi.

On Waitangi Day 2010 the national Māori flag flew on the Auckland Harbour Bridge for the first time. It also flew at other nationally significant sites including Parliament, the Beehive, the National War Memorial, Te Papa, the National Library of New Zealand, and other government buildings.

New Zealand’s first flag was chosen at a meeting of chiefs at Waitangi on 20 March 1834, to ensure that ships built and owned by people in New Zealand would be recognised by other nations. British resident James Busby invited Māori leaders to choose one of …

2 days ago · The Waitangi Day commemorations included a flag raising ceremony and the traditional waka parade. Here's some of the day's highlights, captured in pictures: Kaihoe at Waitangi. Tamariki, Raupatu Hetaraka from Ngāti Kahu watching the kaihoe at Waitangi Day 2025. Photo: RNZ / Layla Bailey-McDowell.

Flying the two flags together on days of national significance like Waitangi Day symbolises and enhances the Crown-Māori relationship. The flag should always be flown with the black section at the top, the top part of the koru closest to the flagpole, and the red section at the bottom.

You might be familiar with the current New Zealand flag, but did you know that it wasn’t the first flag our country had? At the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, you’ll find a symbolic flagstaff that marks the spot where the Treaty of Waitangi was first signed on the 6th of February in 1840.

This Waitangi Day will begin with a hīkoi on Monday at 7.30am from Te Tii Waitangi marae north of Paihia, where he has invited all Māori, Pākehā, and Tangata Tiriti to join him and bring a blank white canvas as a flag.

2 days ago · Waitangi Day, every February 6th, is celebrated by people throughout the country of New Zealand, particularly in the Bay Islands. Events can last for up to three days, including a special opening service takes place at dawn on Waitangi Day at the Treaty Grounds. ... There are also flag-raising ceremonies and a 21-gun salute from the Royal NZ ...

Waitangi Day has been a significant day on New Zealand’s calendar since the Treaty of Waitangi was first signed in 1840. The flagstaff which stands on the Upper Treaty Grounds marks the location of the first Treaty signing by representatives of the British Crown and over 40 rangatira (chiefs) on 6 February 1840.

Waitangi Day marks the significance of the initial signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi | The Treaty of Waitangi. Explore the different ways we acknowledge Waitangi Day such as: Waitangi Day commemorations — pōwhiri, speeches, kapa haka, … memorials, flagstaff, statues, plaques, … events held at Waitangi and around the motu.