Waitangi 2025 Ka Hao te Rangatahi

A waka arrives at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in the Bay of Islands. Photo credit: Peter de Graaf.

Every year, iwi, whanau, politicians and visitors from around the motu gather at Waitangi Treaty Grounds in the Bay of Islands to commemorate the first signing of Aotearoa New Zealand’s founding document: Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the Treaty of Waitangi, on February 6, 1840.

Recognised as the country’s national day and most important historical marker, this year’s Waitangi Day commemorations will focus on, Ka Hao te Rangatahi, the thoughts and aspirations of young New Zealanders.

The Treaty continues to live as part of New Zealand’s past, present and future, despite ongoing talanoa surrounding its role in Aotearoa – 2025 is shaping up to be a poignant milestone at the Treaty Grounds.

It has been a significant day for all New Zealanders since the Treaty of Waitangi was first signed in 1840 at the Upper Treaty Grounds, by representatives of the British Crown and over 40 rangatira (chiefs), and by September 1840, over 500 leaders from throughout Aotearoa had signed the document.

A free festival gets underway on Thursday from 5am at the Treaty Grounds, starting with a dawn service in Te Whare Rūnanga.

There is all-day entertainment with performance stages on the Upper Treaty Grounds, at Te Korowai ō Maikuku and the sports field opposite the Treaty Grounds.

More than 150 market stalls offer an amazing array of art and crafts, clothing and a wide variety of food options, and there are also children’s activities.

Pasifika TV is proud to support tangata whenua of Aotearoa, and will be showing Waitangi Day coverage from 5am, on February 6.

Visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds website for a full programme of events, and Pasifika TV website for details on our coverage of the event.