Te Rā o Waitangi | Waitangi Day 

Waitangi Day is observed each year on 6 February, marking the first signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi | the Treaty of Waitangi at Waitangi in 1840. It is a time to learn about its history, consider the promises and understandings associated with Te Tiriti, and reflect on its continuing significance in Aotearoa.

On 6 February 1840, around 40 rangatira signed the Waitangi sheet. Te Tiriti was then taken to other parts of the motu, where further rangatira considered whether they would sign.

Te Tiriti followed He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni | the Declaration of Independence, first signed by northern rangatira in 1835. These events took place during a period of growing European settlement and increasing British involvement in Aotearoa.

The Māori and English texts of Te Tiriti are not exact translations of one another. Important differences include the language used to describe kāwanatanga, sovereignty and tino rangatiratanga. These differences have shaped relationships, debate and understandings between Māori and the Crown from 1840 through to the present day.

For uri of Te Kura o Waihārara, learning about Te Tiriti and He Whakaputanga has particular meaning because this history is deeply connected with Te Tai Tokerau and the people and places of the north. Through this learning, uri explore different perspectives, consider the responsibilities that arise from relationships between tangata whenua and the Crown, and think about what honouring Te Tiriti can mean in Aotearoa today.