Waitangi Day

Waitangi Day, 6 February, marks the anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. This Treaty, often described as New Zealand's founding document, was an agreement between Maori chiefs and the British Crown, and covered issues of sovereignty, possession and rights of citizenship. Differences between the English and Maori texts of the Treaty, and breaches of its terms in the years following its signing, have complicated New Zealanders' sense of the ongoing importance of this agreement.

Over the last twenty years or so, government has sought to encourage greater understanding of the Treaty as a key element in our history, and to promote its nation building potential. The Ministry manages the Commemorating Waitangi Day Fund, from which grants are available for inclusive community events commemorating the signing of the Treaty and celebrating the country we live in today.

Enquiries about the Fund should be directed to:

Heritage Operations Unit
Ministry for Culture and Heritage
PO Box 5364
Wellington
Telephone (04) 499-4229
Fax (04) 499-4490
Email: waitangi.fund@mch.govt.nz