Treaty HouseAbout Treaty House
Treaty House at Waitangi is the historic building on the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in the Bay of Islands, Northland, New Zealand, associated with the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840.
The site includes the restored house museum and the larger grounds with carved meeting house and ceremonial areas where visitors can see exhibits, guided tours and cultural presentations. The place is central to New Zealand’s founding document and national commemorations.
The house was built in the 1830s for James Busby, the British Resident in New Zealand, and the site became internationally significant on 6 February 1840 when many chiefs and Crown representatives signed the Treaty of Waitangi. Since then the grounds have been preserved and developed as an historic and cultural visitor site.
Waitangi is on the north shore of the Waitangi estuary in the Bay of Islands, adjacent to the town of Paihia in the Northland region, with visitor access from nearby coastal towns.
- Treaty Day: 6 February 1840 is the date of the Treaty signing and is observed nationally as Waitangi Day, with ceremonies often held on site.
- Visitor information: Interpretive displays and guided tours explain the 1840 Treaty and the site’s role in New Zealand history.
What to See#
- Treaty House: The original 19th-century house built for British Resident James Busby, restored and presented as a museum with period furnishings and displays about the 1840 Treaty.
- Waitangi Treaty Grounds: The wider Waitangi Treaty Grounds, which include a carved meeting house and ceremonial area used for commemorations and visitor programmes.
Best Time to Visit Treaty House
Summer brings the largest visitor numbers and the national commemoration on 6 February; shoulder seasons are ideal for fewer crowds and comfortable weather.
Weather & Climate near Treaty House
Temperate climate with mild summers (peaking in February) and cool winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 9°C to 23°C. Abundant rainfall (1327 mm/year), wettest in July.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 16° - 23° | 19° | 77 mm | - | - | 5.1 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 16° - 23° | 20° | 81 mm | - | - | 4.8 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 15° - 22° | 19° | 103 mm | - | - | 4.6 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 14° - 20° | 17° | 107 mm | - | - | 4.8 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 11° - 18° | 14° | 122 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 10° - 16° | 13° | 157 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 9° - 15° | 12° | 162 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 9° - 15° | 12° | 143 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 10° - 16° | 13° | 110 mm | - | - | 5.2 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 11° - 18° | 14° | 84 mm | - | - | 5.5 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 12° - 19° | 16° | 94 mm | - | - | 5.7 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 14° - 21° | 18° | 87 mm | - | - | 4.8 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Treaty House
The Treaty House is on the Waitangi Treaty Grounds near Paihia in the Bay of Islands. From Paihia it’s a 5-10 minute drive (or a 20-30 minute walk). Regular buses and local tour operators offer transport from Paihia and Kerikeri.
Tips for Visiting Treaty House
- Book a guided tour of the Treaty House to hear the story of 6 February 1840 and the role of James Busby; tours fill on Waitangi Day (6 February).
- Walk the surrounding Waitangi Treaty Grounds to see the carved waka (canoe) and the ceremonial marae; the site rewards slow exploration.
- Combine a visit with the nearby Bay of Islands activities - Paihia is a short drive away and has ferries to Russell.