On Friday 6 February Aotearoa New Zealand will observe Waitangi Day, the national day commemorating the signing of Aotearoa’s foundation document 186 years ago – Te Tiriti O Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi).
The Treaty was signed by the British Crown and approximately 540 Māori Rangatira (Chiefs) in 1840 at Waitangi, Northland and aimed to protect the rights of Māori whenua (land), forests, fisheries and taonga (treasures).
The event is commemorated as a public holiday with official, community and whanau (family) events across Aotearoa New Zealand, which highlight and celebrate Māori culture and the relationships and partnerships between Māori and Pākehā (non-Māori).
In the lead up to Waitangi Day 2026, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, members of the coalition government; many senior public servants; members of Pou Tangata (National Iwi Leaders Group), and the public, will converge at Waitangi this week.
The New Zealand Government has been a member government of ANZSOG since our inception in 2002. We deeply value our long partnership with the New Zealand Government and remain committed to embedding Māori knowledge and perspectives across our teaching and leadership programs.
Our Leave a Legacy: Be a Transformer First Nations Conference in Meanjin/Brisbane last November featured nine Māori speakers and facilitators, who shared their knowledge of how the New Zealand government is building long-term partnerships and shared-decision-making with Māori. They spoke of the importance of allowing Māori to set their own goals and vision, and the need for public servants to think differently about how to break down the siloes and barriers that stop them shifting power to Māori.
More information on ANZSOG’s First Nations and Māori programs can be found here.
Despite ongoing political debate about its role, the Treaty of Waitangi remains a highly significant document. It has become a means to address historic injustice in a way that creates economic independence for Māori iwi (tribes), and an opportunity for those of us in Australia to see the value of a different approach to relations between Government and First Nations communities.
To all our Aotearoa New Zealand colleagues, alumni and friends, we wish you all a meaningful and reflective day with whanau (family) and friends.
Further information about Waitangi Day’s history can be found on the NZ Government website.