Visiting The Waitangi Treaty Grounds This Summer

Time for a school holiday outing with the kids? Waitangi has you covered this summer with fun for the whole whanau. Kids under 12 can come in for free, and a discounted rate for NZ residents 17 and under.

A family day at Waitangi starts with getting tickets and kids’ activity books. At the entrance you can sign up for a guided tour, or you can let the kids set the pace and explore together. Make sure you book in for a cultural performance, kapa haka is a highlight for all ages.

First stop is Te Kongahu the state-of-the-art Museum of Waitangi. Look at the taonga exchanged, find your tupuna, and watch our history unfold before your eyes. Get comfy before one of the films, all ages can enjoy Waitangi: What Really Happened and journey back in time to see William Hobson in his naval dress blues and hear the words of Rangatira Māori who first signed the Treaty. Make sure to give the kids time for the interactive displays at the end.

The guided tour can lead you around the site, or you can choose to make your own way. The guided tours are a fun and memorable way to learn about New Zealand's history. After visiting the museum, head to the waka, Ngātokimatawhaorua; a living piece of history and the largest waka you will find anywhere. Sheltered by the beach, it is impossible not to be amazed by its sheer size and the stories of its creation.

Follow the scenic path and seek the native flora and fauna as you make your way to the Upper Grounds. Visit one of New Zealand’s oldest houses, the residence of James and Agnes Busby, and the place where the Treaty was finalised and first signed. Use the activity booklet, the seek-and-find page on the house and send the kids on a scavenger hunt. The second museum, Te Rau Aroha, less than 5 years old, sits nearby and tells the stories of conflict and citizenship.

Make sure you get to the carved Whare Rūnanga ten minutes before your performance. You will be welcomed with a pōwhiri before taking your seats inside. Poi, waiata, haka, taiaha - you won’t be able to take your eyes off the show. Whether your kids are in a kapa haka rōpu or unfamiliar with the art, they will want a good seat.

After the performance, cool off with an ice cream at the coffee cart or a game of cricket on the field. If you didn’t pack a picnic, you can always visit the Whare Waka Café for a delicious barista iced coffee. While you are there, check out the pond for the tuna (native eel) and see who can spot the biggest one. The longfin eels can grow to be 2 metres long!

The retail gift shop at Waitangi has a wide selection of locally grown and made artisan products. There are books for all ages, toys and souvenirs. Keep hold of the activity booklets for the little ones; they can chill and colour in pictures when you get home.

If the kids aren’t tired by now, you can make the most of the Bay of Islands area. There are plenty of beaches nearby, so pack your togs and towels and go for a swim. Tī Bay has a covered playground less than five minutes' drive away from the Treaty Grounds.

If you didn’t fit all the stops in, or want another look, your tickets are valid for two days. There is something new for everyone to discover. It is a great place to visit when the summer weather turns, and you need a wet weather option as well. No matter your age, there is always something to do. A bit of history, a bit of culture, a bit of Aotearoa. Have fun at Waitangi and get some happy Northland experiences to take home with you.

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