Waka at Waitangi
I revisited the Treaty of Waitangi grounds with some trepidation as I was left feeling underwhelmed after my visit in 2002. This visit was infinitely better. I discovered that everyone with a New Zealand drivers licence can explore the grounds for free. The $18 guided tour around the Treaty grounds with Dennise Robinson was my favourite Bay of Islands tour.
Robinson has a gentle way of bringing history to life. Her idea that the Treaty of Waitangi is like a marriage with all parties needing to keep working at it makes perfect sense. The vision of the giant waka filled with 150 warriors, paddling into Hobson’s Bay in 1940 to celebrate the centenary of the Treaty signing made me wish that I had been there.
A flag pole marks where the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi occurred visitors can explore both the Treaty House and wharenui (meeting house). Robinson brought meaning to the carvings and tukutuku panels inside the meeting house and sang a waiata. At that moment, the hairs on the back of my neck quivered. I felt proud to call myself a “Kiwi”.
A flag pole marks where the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi occurred visitors can explore both the Treaty House and wharenui (meeting house). Robinson brought meaning to the carvings and tukutuku panels inside the meeting house and sang a waiata. At that moment, the hairs on the back of my neck quivered. I felt proud to call myself a “Kiwi”.
Bushfire sunrise at Waitangi
Our founding document - The Treaty of Waitangi
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