Treaty House, Historic building in Waitangi, New Zealand

The Treaty House is a 1833–34 colonial house built for James Busby, with two main rooms, an entrance hallway, a verandah and a detached rear kitchen block. It was expanded in the 1830s and 1840s with a lean-to and two wings. The house now contains a museum about the Treaty of Waitangi and mid-19th-century life.

Built in 1833 for James Busby, the British Resident, this building became the place where Māori chiefs signed the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. This event marked a turning point in New Zealand's founding story.

The grounds feature a carved meeting house and a large war canoe called Ngā Toki Matawhaorua, representing both British and Māori traditions. These structures show how two cultures come together at this location to share their stories.

The site is easily accessible, with museum galleries located in the main building where you can explore exhibits at your own pace. The outdoor grounds with the meeting house and canoe offer additional landmarks and open areas for walking and photography.

The flagstaff on the grounds was erected by the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy just before the 1934 Waitangi Day celebrations; the original pole was replaced, but it still stands where the Treaty was signed. Nearby is the Waitangi Treaty Monument, built around 1880–1881 and also a Category 1 heritage item.