Waitangi Day
Waitangi Day is a public holiday observed throughout Aotearoa New Zealand to commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi between the British Crown and Māori at Waitangi in 1840. The Treaty of Waitangi is a founding document of government in New Zealand and the day has been a public holiday since 1974.
Waitangi Day gives us all the opportunity to reflect on this foundation document, which underpins our country’s unique identity, and what it means for each of us and our motu (country).
In 2022 we partnered with Ngāti Toa Rangatira to produce this wonderful video about this special day, featuring our own community, what Waitangi Day means to them, and how they celebrate it.
Waitangi ki Kāpiti video series
As part of our virtual Waitangi Day commemorations in 2021 we made a 5-part video series exploring the relevance of Te Tiriti and people's thoughts on how we commemorate it in our district. We encourage you to watch and share this kōrero as a way to stimulate discussion on what Te Tiriti means for our Kāpiti Coast communities.
Treaty signatories
The tangata whenua of the District are Te Āti Awa ki Whakarongotai, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, including whanau and hapū. In the 1820–30s they were firmly established in the District and were signatories to the Treaty of Waitangi at the following locations:
- On board the ship The Ariel at Port Nicholson in Wellington (29 April 1840)
- Queen Charlotte Sounds (4 May 1840)
- Rangitoto (d'Urville Island) (11 May 1840)
- Kāpiti Island (14 May 1840)
- Waikanae (16 May 1840)
- Ōtaki (19 May 1840)
- Manawatū (26 May 1840)
- Motungarara Island (4 June 1840)
- Guard's Bay and Cloudy Bay (Te Koko-a-Kupe) in Te Tau Ihu (17 June 1840)
- Mana Island (19 June 1840), and again on Kāpiti Island (19 June 1840).