Reviews of Waitangi Treaty Grounds. (Museum) in Kerikeri (Northland).

Waitangi Treaty Grounds

3669 Reviews

390 Comments

Museum

Historical landmark

Conference center

Tourist attraction

Wedding venue

Tau Henare Drive, Waitangi 0293, New Zealand

Description

Information of Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Museum in Kerikeri (Northland)

Here you can see the location, open hours, popular times, contact, photos and real reviews done by the users.

This place has good reviews, this means that they treat their customers well and you’ll feel great with their services, recommended 100%!

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Open hours of Waitangi Treaty Grounds

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Reviews of Waitangi Treaty Grounds

M. N.

Amazing place! 30$ to get into the museum and surrounding area, it was totally worth it when I got to the Wharenui (Māori communal house) and experienced, for the first time, the traditional greetings and explanation of the culture. If you're in Paihia, definitely stop by. Amazing views of the ocean and a lot of history.

S. C.

Steeped in history and well presented for all. The Cultural Experience is well worth seeing. Take you time to walk around where you can. The tour is a great way to see the grounds and the guides are well knowledgeable and friendly.

M. A.

One of the most important things I've done in new Zealand, it gives you the opportunity to learn some history about this beautiful country and the cultural experience was amazing and the performers very friendly, I would travel from Auckland again to show someone this .

T.

Must do experience for all! Friendly, helpful staff, stunning scenery, grounds and views. Very informative and well presented information. Well preserved historical treasure.

L. K.

It's worth doing the guided tour! Our guide was knowledgeable, informative and funny. The entire experience and learning about the history of Aotearoa was insightful. Suitable for kids 6 and up, a bit of walking involved. Also kids get to complete an activity sheet and receive a 'prize' at the end. There was a wheelchair bound person on our tour and the gentleman was fine accessing all areas of tour in his motorized chair, apart from one steep spot where he needed a wee push. The performance at the whare was good, we felt the mana!

C.

Beat my expectations by far. Really entertaining and informative show about Maori culture, traditions and unique customs. Fascinating and also very welcoming. Only caution is the gift shop, you might buy items you never budgeted for ;) Great prices The colonial houses and set up are okay, loved the walkway and learning about the different trees and their uses.

M.

Thank you to the informative tours. Staff there n cafe very attentive n friendly🙏. Beautiful experience even the maori cultural performance group...loved everything. Grounds n museums clean n well kept. Was a bit emotional at the grounds tour hearing about treaty of waitangi signing history. Hope good n acceptable resolve soon for the two parties of Maori n Pakeha. Wondered why the beautiful Maori Rangatira flag not raised there also🙏

E.

Very impressive. Museum is beautiful and highly informative. Our guide was very very knowledgeable. The show was good. Very important for all New Zealanders to know about this part of the history.

L.

First time since all the new renovations and additions. Always a lovely place to go and spend time, more so now with so much more to see. Allow a minimum of 2 hours to go through all the sites, to wander the grounds, have a coffee and/or take in a cultural show. Do visit the cafe, especially if you have children, there are eels of all sizes in the pond they have there that are easy to spot, and watch them get fed by the staff at around 2 pm. From trying finding the oldest tree planted on the treaty ground, to walking through NZ's first kitset home...amazing work considering the basic technology available at that time. Reconnect and reflect with our history here.

A. A.

Wonderful place if you're a local or international visiting. Beautiful views. You can feel the rich history as you walk through. Only problem was the guide that walked us through was knowledgeable but heavily one sided. Keep an open mind and don't jump to conclusions until you've had time to process the information and look at both sides.

M. C.

Absolutely amazing! Heard so many people rave about this place and was somewhat dubious. Having been there I am now an equally raving fan. You are touched and changed by the feel of the place and the incredibly balanced, insightful and well presented history of our amazing country. Favourite part of our holiday to the region!

K.

Amazing new museums and displays. To truly understand the meaning and significance of the Treaty you need to visit. Allocate at least half a day. Very moving.

R. L.

A place every New Zealander should visit to move forward in life with an understanding of how our national identity was formed & how it should be cherished. So we can all live together in harmony and equality.

C. G.

What an amazing experience for myself and my family. The tour guide had such a lovely sense of humour and was so knowledgeable. The views were spectacular and our live performance was really awesome.

R. M.

Fantastic experience. The new museum commemorating the 28th Maori Battalion was very well done. You need to allocate at least half a day for the while experience, probably more. I haven't been here for about twenty years and it has improved out of sight

S. T.

I have been here, very important place to learn about the truth about the Maori people and New Zealand history. It has great arrangement where you can see amazing performance of Maori group, then walk around for other things. The view to Bay of Islands is incredible.

J. L.

Expensive ($50 each) to access, but for that you get an informative guided tour, and if the times line up, a live Maori show. The tour was pleasant, and one gets to walk along boardwalks and covered walkways. Fabulous views of the bay from the top. The newly opened veterans museum is worth checking out too. Nice gift shop.

J.

Now I was impressed. GO WHEN YOU HAVE THE TIME. Really enjoyed the museum and the Maori battalion house. Be in the mood for reading when you go, and take your glasses. Lighting on some of the displays is really low. But wow is it informative. So many improvements have been made since I was a kid visiting with school. We did the guided walking tour and our guide was primo, informative, clear and it felt like you were walking around with a mate, who just happened to know everything. I will be going again, but this time by myself and without hanger-on-ers, so I can take as long as I want.

F.

We had a delightful guide who was funny and knowledgeable. The tour was fantastic and ended with a beautiful performance by their kapa haka group. I went with Miss 11 and we both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

A. G.

A very spiritual connection to my ancestors and the land they once stood on... very honored for the opportunity to be able to come and visit this historical and vital part of Aotearoa. Beautiful and helpful staff and well kept grounds and area, the museums are spacious and amazing with alot of information and stories to read through and alot of collected items... did not have time to really read through everything or watch all the movies they did have a reenactment movie of the signing as well as other little shows.. A great memorial for our war heros, had a bit of a cry and felt the presence of my ancestors. Will definitely recommend a visit to all those thinking about it and about the history of New Zealand.

V.

This is an excellent ‘tourist attraction’ even if like me, you’re not a tourist. Beautifully presented - showcasing the history from both Pakeha and Maori perspectives. The museums were simply stunning and the ‘Treaty House’ and ‘Marae’ (which sit quite near to each other) were culturally sensitive to their own histories. This is a ‘MUST SEE’ for anyone who wants to know NZ and its ‘culture’.

G. J.

Waitangi Treaty Grounds was on our "Must See" list when we booked our cruise to New Zealand and found Bay of Islands was on our Port of Call itinerary. Only a short walk from where our tender docked and well signposted so very easy to find. What an amazing experience, from the Museum right through to the Cultural show at the end, every moment we learned something new. A walk through the museum while you wait for your allocated tour time is a must, just so much there to take on board. Then, once your tour guide introduces themselves, the learning continues. The walk around the grounds with continuous commentary, stopping at points of interest like the war canoes, the Governors house and then the icing on the cake, the cultural performance at the Meeting House where we learned the Maori greeting ceremony outside before being invited inside for the dance performance. This is a place not be missed.

E. &. X.

Did the guided tour, grounds well kept, new additions and buildings since my last visit many years ago. Tour guide was knowledgeable, but I felt was just going through the motions, not a happy friendly person who really enjoys thier job. They need guided who are welcoming, friendly, and mix knowledge and facts with some humor and fun. The cultural performance was the best part, the song and dance was fantastic. Recommend doing at least once

N. D.

Very well done museum/grounds. Very informative exhibits in the museum. The guided tour was great and around an hour - you got headphones and could easily hear the guide. The cultural experience was 30 minutes and featured several songs and traditions. The entry pass is good for two days. I think you'd probably need about 4-5 hours to see and do everything.

P. T.

This place has much more to it than I expected. Everybody should come here at least once to appreciate the history of it. It has been wonderfully maintained and you should allow a couple of hours to walk around and appreciate it fully. Lots of bird life in the bush areas too, which was very cool. The carving room is open most of the time and amazing, there are also cultural shows and a hanging option. Well worth a visit.

G. &. M. C.

A great experience, so much information to take in so we were grateful that the entry ticket is valid for 2 days. Really knowledgeable and engaging tour guide (Mr Busby) and the cultural performance was top notch. Fantastic facilities and museums.

M. P.

An absolute great place to visit to understand the history of the Maori people and th history of the beginnings of the nation of New Zealand. We were amazed to learn about the differences in the language of the original treaty, which was written in both Maori and English, and how that led to conflict, war, and death, and centuries of suffering by the local Maori people. It is also enlightening to learn about how differences were overcome, and how the New Zealand government is now working on reparations. We stayed to watch the cultural dances and singing. The Maori museum to those who died in wars to defend New Zealand is also very moving. Be sure to see everything and enjoy the walking trails. We had a fantastic guide that was very knowledgeable and informative. Just don’t miss this when you visit New Zealand! It is a “must do”!

A. H.

A must visit experience for every Kiwi and a great place for tourists also. The guided tour was first class; funny, informative, and Kiwi as, Cuz! The cultural performance was also very enjoyable for all ages. The museum is a really good educational experience. Highly recommended and well worth the $25 entry fee.

J. J.

The Grounds and exhibitions are absolutely fantastic. Easily one of the best attractions in New Zealand. It enabled us to better understand how the European settlers negotiated with Maori Tribal Leaders. Lots of history to read and see. The grounds overlooking the water is very picturesque. The cultural performance show was awesome. Well worth the visit. You won’t be disappointed.

N.

Definitely an experience. Lived in NZ all my life but never been to Waitangi. Go. The performance and museum etc is all worth it.

M.

I found my visit to this historic place was extremely interesting. I felt that both Maori and European points of view had been presented fairly to give a presumably reasonably accurate representation of our country's early history. It was well worth the three hours I spent wandering around here.

S. H.

A beautifully kept and well run place. An excellent museum recounting some Maori history and the story of Mauri/English interaction, leading to the birth of New Zealand as a nation. You can find a few peaceful spots amidst the trees or with a clear view of the Bay - one of my 'happy places'.

P. S.

Beautiful treaty grounds with a lot of history. It's wonderful to just walk around. We did the guided tour, enjoyed a traditional performance and spent quite some time in the treaty house. In the treaty house there was well presented information about the time of the treaty between the English and the Māori. The guide of the tour also gives extra information about the grounds, the war canoes and the traditional treaty house. Don't forget to plan extra time to visit the museum close to the entrace! It's well worth a visit as well! Highly recommended!

D.

Totally fantastic way to connect with some history of your country. Taught about seen photos .listened to argument s, I relearned things I had forgotten I new. Discovered that others see history similarly to me. Plus I saw where history was made. If you are not into that Waitangi is just beautiful. From green lawns to bush, fantails to black birds. There is no Wonder people want to live in this land

H. W.

A wonderful experience to visit this significant place in New Zealand history. The two museums were rich with information and impressive displays. Loved the cultural performance which provided the usual response of goosebumps 😍

R. B.

Beautiful grounds and brilliant museum. If you are Kiwi but don’t know much about our early history I would recommend it. The museum might be a bit repetitive or boring if you are well versed in our history, but it’s thoroughly well presented. The grounds are beautiful and well maintained. The price seems rather expensive, particularly if you’re a foreigner. It’s a shame as it would prevent many families from visiting. Otherwise I highly recommend.

J. L.

The guided tour was very informative. The cultural show was excellent. Toilets are well maintained and staff were friendly.

M. W.

a very nice place to visit. we were here in 2007, here you can learn everything about the history and the treaty that was signed here. here is also The Ceremonial War Canoe that is launched every year. on February 6 as part of Waitangi Day celebrations.

A. F. 8.

Walk through a piece of New Zealand history, on the same grounds as the Maori whom greeted the initial European settlers into this wonderful land. A place where a somewhat controversial treaty was signed, in a well preserved museum, celebrating the cultures and the historical moment. We really enjoyed seeing the Waka and learning more about Maori culture 👊🏽

O.

The grounds are beautiful; we arrived in the early morning so if wasn’t as busy or hot. The museum inside was very informative.

J. A.

Beautiful location with a great amount of information about the harrowing history of how New Zealand as a country was formed. Amazing plant and animal life all around. Super friendly and helpful staff.

T. C.

So pleased we visited, was better than expected. The lady at the ticket desk welcoming, informative, and very friendly. We spent 2 hours, but could have stayed longer. Exhibits were exceptional and informative. I'm loving spending time visiting the Great North.

S.

Money we'll spent. A great bonus is the two day pass at no extra cost. Nice piece of Maori history.

D.

Very informative 50 min tour. Highly recommend it. Lots to soak in so I appreciated that you get access for several consecutive days with one ticket. Really important place, you can feel the energy.

V. Y.

I had a fantastic experience when I visited the Waitangi Treaty Grounds last August. There’s an admission fee to be able to get inside the grounds. As a NZ resident, i paid $25 as I was eligible of the 50% discount. I joined the 2PM guided tour, our guide was friendly and informative. (I actually forgot her name, she told us to call her “Cuz” if just in case we forgot her name.lol) The grounds was clean and well kept. The guided tour lasted for one hour and after that we were brought to the marae or meeting place for the cultural show. It was my first time to be able to see a live a powhiri (a Māori welcoming ceremony), it was very heart-warming. The show lasted for about 30 minutes. They even have a museum were locals or Maoris can trace from which tribe they were from. If you can’t visit the entire grounds for one day, you’ll be able to visit it the next day but just kept your receipt. The entrance fee was all worth it; the Waitangi Treaty Grounds is worth a visit indeed.

M. A. Q. Z.

Fantastic place full of feelings, history and culture to discover in family. I was chosen as a chief of the performance and it was a unique experience.

J.

Finally made it here. Don't expect to be blown away. It's not an amusement park but a chance to learn New Zealand history better. It cost $25NZD per adult but then again so do some churches when your in Europe... If you time it right you can watch the educational cultural show included in the price. Jump on their website for the times and details.

B. K. 龚.

Waitangi has been a place of great interest for me personally. I am thankful that the whole Waitangi treaty ground experience was a great introduction to the Maori people. This was where I encountered and experienced Maori people culturally, historically and (most importantly to me) spiritually. The Maori has a great connection with nature - and they have much wisdom before science arrived to concur. During the tour, it was educational to learn how they made sense of weather, used materials such as flax to make into handicraft, applied herbs as medications - and in fact, most of these still apply in modern times. This guided shared the Maori's perspective on how the Waitangi treaty was interpreted, alas much to the disadvantage of them. The cultural show in the meeting house was a highlight for me where we were greeted with haka and treated to lovely presentations of songs and dance. More than just another cultural show, I felt the sincerity, passion - a connection with the Maori throughout the performance. It is their way of thinking, living, without compromising their values, roots that set me thinking of my own heritage and efforts made to preserve these. This was one of the highlights of my trip to New Zealand, highly recommended.

M. D. (.

This is a beautiful place to visit, the grounds, views of sea the treaty house where waitangi treaty was originally signed, the history here, the beauty here is just magic, really opened my eyes to NZ history of how we really came to be here. So many different opinions but one thing for sure the Maori ancestors came from the Polynesian islands. #nzmustdo Gift shop has stunning NZ gits in there, u must check out the stunning work of artists we have here in NZ.

R. L.

From start to finish it's filled with fascinating history! The Maori can be very proud of what they have achieved in this beautiful Land of the Long White Cloud. A visit to their new museum is a must. The guided tour of the Waitangi grounds, is important as they have incredible knowledge to share. The restaurant on site ended our day perfectly. We will be back, there's so much to absorb and we loved it.

e.

Guided Tour and Cultural Performance are highly recommended

K. B.

A significant historic place for Aotearoa, New Zealand. The new museum complex is a worthy addition to the grounds. Additionally, beautiful views, delicious food, and a comprehensive range of souvenirs in the retail store. Guides are professional, welcoming, interested, and often funny

B. L.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit here. Amazing value (children free), fantastic hosts and informative and interactive visits. The included 45min guided tour followed by a cultural experience in the Marae are first class.

M. T.

Excellent tourist attraction and one of the most historic locations of New Zealand. I will highly recommend to visit on Waitangi day. Book a few months or year in advance if you are. Theres so much to see and do on the day.

H. R.

A great place to meet Maori. Herr is also the largest war canoe made of a single tree. You will see a live performance and you can explore the nice museum in otder to find out all about the waitangi treat, the first treatment between Maori and British.

L. M.

Haven't visited in over 12 years and was suitably surprised at just how professional it is. The exhibitions are so interactive and interesting. The tour guide was exceptional and the cultural show entertaining. The Maori battalion exhibition is worth taking time to see

L. W.

Kia Ora, Best to take the guided tour, fully worthwhile as they explain the history. Warm welcome and cultural performances is the best.

J. R.

If you are in the Bay of Islands, this is a must do. The guides are great, well informed and hearing about their ancestors is amazing. The museum is full of wonder and the grounds are spectacular. The Treaty House and cultural show was fab!

H. S.

One of the places you have to go while visiting NZ. Great history place. Detailed museum.50 NZD pp, but you get a lot for it. Don't miss out. Included is a guided tour (the guide was Maori biased, but he maybe had to, to represent the Maori way of seeing the history). Then they have lovely park with the old treaty house in colonial style. The war canoe (the longest in NZ) is also included. The as the final highlight, you see a haka presented by Maoris in their traditional house, with singing, playing, explaining their traditions?

M.

Historical and nature site where you can enjoy also culture experience by Maori concert. It can whole day to see all. I can really recommend place where history was created.

D. R.

Must visit to understand the history of this country. Tickets are super affordable and includes a guided tour and a cultural performance

A. B.

Incredible historical place. Our Hāngī was quite amazing. The display was just indescribably incredible. Absolutely first class. The food is a bit different than other Polynesian food I've experienced, though still very good. It's very interesting to see the differences between

S.

Fantastic experience! So much more to this place than we realised. You can tell straight away that the staff working here are passionate about the Maori Culture and shared some wonderful stories with us about their beliefs. A fantastic day spent here, would 100% recommend a visit.

A.

Definitely a must, and worth joining in on the guided tour as well the guides are very knowledgeable and friendly.

C.

Enjoyed our day here. Highly recommend the guided tour. A great learning experience

A. C.

This place is unbelievably Amazing. It definitely holds a Great place in New Zealand's history. You can end up spending hours here reading the documents and watching the videos. Guided Tour definitely recommended, it's pretty informative. NZ Citizens and Residents pay $25 entry fee and for all others it's $50; This fee includes Guided Tour, Cultural Performance (which is surreal) & you can watch around 20 mins long movie on Waitangi. This also gives access to Museum of Waitangi and Carving Studio. This entry fee/ day pass is valid for 2 days. There's so much to learn and experience here. Honoured and Blessed to be able to visit this place. 15-20 mins walk from Paihia warf or 5 mins drive. Plenty of Parking spaces. Plus there's Whare Waka Cafe for refreshments.

T. W.

Superb, the museum was terrific the grounds were beautiful and the performance was delightful. Worth the trip for a look into this part of New Zealand's history.

L. Z.

Amazing visit and the best $20 you will ever spend. The birthplace of New Zealand - fantastic facility, wonderful guided tour, enjoyable Maori cultural show, and plenty of nature.

D. M.

Set in a stunning location over looking the Bay of Islands this historic site has cultural significance to both Maori & Pakeha. Unfortunately It now cost and arm & a leg to enter this scared site. $50 for non NZ residents and $25 for Kiwi adults is abit steep. If you can afford it then it is well worth the visit as very informative and educational. The Maori cultural performance at the Marae is a must. Kids under 18 are free.

M. “. C.

This is well worth the visit despite the seemingly high entry fee of $50 per head. For that you get a guided tour , a show and access to the museum. Unfortunately you don't get a discount for seniors like me, not if you don't want the guide or dancing as we didn't. This was explained by the fact that the grounds do not get gouvernement support. Anyway it was very interesting and I learned a lot. The war canoe exhibit is jaw dropping. A plus was the wildlife in the gardens

A. W.

Beautiful architecture and very rich history. The gift shop has a lot of great items to bring home to loved ones.

W.

Excellent and would highly recommend. The cultural performance was great and the museums were interesting.

A.

A must visit if you're into NZ history. Good exhibits of photographs, historical items and a good movie about the Waitangi Treaty.

S.

A must visit place in New Zealand. Especially for the children who are in year 9, 10 and 11. Explains well while on the tour. Hoping to visit again soon. Really enjoyed the atmosphere and sorrounding...

S. S.

Great historic site to learn about New Zealand's history. Includes museums and can take a few hours of your day, depending on what you want to see and do.

B.

If you are in New Zealand this is must visit. Great tour followed by cultural experience, museum and cafe. Very insightful experience.

T. B. J.

It's the best place to learn about history and culture of NZ, some spots near, it's a must do plan on the bay of islands zone! I should go back to take the complete tour

s.

10/10 An unreal spiritual experience - absolute must do when in Northland!!! The ‘Cultural Performance’ was beyond impressive - beautiful and chilling. I look forward to coming back one day. Thank you Note: Hot food at the cafe shuts at 2

J. G.

Excellent. We also payed extra for the tour and Maori Hangi earth oven baked meal in the evening. I was a volunteered to be a chief and got Haka'd on our route to the evening performance in the sacred tribal building. An experience in itself. Beautiful views and walks through a small forest. Listen to the cicada beetles all around. Well worth the whole day. The longest war canoe in the world. The place where the treaty was signed. Beautiful views across the Bay of Islands. Opposite this site there is Haruru waterfalls. You can book a canoe trip and go under the falls as a challenge. Amazing place.

T.

Very interesting place. Depressing if you're English but it's good to see what is wrong with the world and hope future generations don't follow suit. We had an awesome tour around the whole site and then a full haka show after wards.

I.

Loved the time we spent visiting these beautiful grounds. The ticketing staff were awesome. Thanks so much

R. C.

A hugely important place in New Zealand history. To reach here from Paihia is around a 45 minute walk. I would give it all day as there is a lot to do. I spent 5-6 hours in the grounds. The interactive museum is which gives you the history of the treaty, the controversies and in many ways how New Zealand developed is big and takes a few hours to see everything. There is a guided tour every hour and 3 times a day a traditional show which is fantastic and well worth paying extra to do. Whether local or tourist like myself a place to come and learn about the history of the country.

S. H.

The Treaty Grounds were excellent. We took in the guided tour and the cultural show which were brilliant. The guide obviously knew his stuff and didn't stop for breath. The earpieces and microphones were breaking up a bit when he got too far away. The cultural show was superb. There is so much to see there.

L. K.

Visited there on a beautiful spring day. The staff were helpful and friendly. The grounds are well maintained and the museum is interesting. When taking the tour you have an ear piece and the tour guide is speaking directly to you thru the ear piece so you can hear everything that is being said. The guided tour takes about an hour. There is also a native Maori demonstration and show that includes singing, dancing and Maori traditions. Recommend you take water, Sun screen and a hat because some of the tour is outside.

D. C.

The treaty house museums is a must for New Zealanders and visitors to NZ. The exhibition is excellent and I highly recommend it to all people. In addition to the museum are the grounds which you can walk or take the guided tour and concert.

K.

Every Kiwi's must do! The new museum is fantastic and full of NZ history we should know. Highly recommend!

T. L.

An excellent museum and interpretive site telling the story of the creation of New Zealand through the treaty between the Maori tribes and the English. Do take the guided tour and see the cultural show, both included in the cost of admission!

S.

We were there with a cruise ship, tendering in Bay of Islands. The treaty grounds is within a few minutes walk from the port. It does take a few hours to go through everything,including the house where the treaty was signed that has lots of explanations and videos(it's like a interactive museum), the museum and to walk around the grounds itself. There is also a little bar/restaurant have some refreshment and food. Highly recommended as it really gives you good knowledge and insight into the settlement of British and reaction of Maori tribes, the natives.

P. P.

Coming back to check out my Whakapapa. What an experience. A credit to all involved in creating this wonderful venture. With no funding and existing on admission funds, this could charge at least double. Just FANTASTIC 👏 all New Zealanders should experience

B. C.

Good, but not worth the price. The Waitangi Treaty grounds are hugely important to the founding of New Zealand. I enjoyed learning about the history of Waitangi and seeing the massive waka, but NZ$40 for entry is a bit steep for what you get. Yes, the guided tour is included, but you have to pay extra for the Māori cultural performance.

B.

This is a beautiful site on the coast where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between Māori and the British crown in 1840. Don't miss the cultural performance and tour. We stayed for the evening traditional Māori barbecue where we were able to meet fellow travelers and learn more from the great presenters.

R.

Great guided tour around $25 for kiwi citizens, including the best 30 minute show

M.

Mandatory visit for anyone in the area, this place gives an amazing life to the history of the area. The museum is incredible, and really is an interesting and enjoyable experience. The tour is brilliant, and highly recommended. Do visit the war canoe !

T. S.

Really beautiful set up and smart placements of historical artifacts and information. It's not an in and out kind of thing, I would allocate at least a few hours for the best experience. Our tour guide was funny and really easy to listen to and you get a tour with your admission ticket. The waka collection out near the beach was my favourite part. Also recommend going to the Maori Carver who carves music instruments and other really cool things.

D. S.

If you were unsure how New Zealand, got to where it is today. This is the place where all of your questions will be answered. The museum is well laid out with excellent displays. The tour takes you from the arrival of white settlers, through to modern day with stories and displays of the people and places that were important parts of the journey. Walking on to the treaty grounds is a delight, the layout and views are spectacular. Allow yourself plenty of time, this is not to be rushed. The sausage rolls at the cafe are without doubt, the best we found in New Zealand

J.

I was so disappointed to pay so much money as a local to the grounds. I've never had to pay before. The grounds are kept very good as usual and good to see great at abs a very informative Meuseum. A shame that the kapa haka powhiri was not good. I knew some of the haka and waiata and we must of had the b squad as they were performed incorrectly. I'm happy everyone else was foriegn and didn't know any better.

N.

The tour was great. Having a headset to listen to the guide was a great idea. He could speak in a normal tone and everyone could hear. It is well worth the time. As a Kiwi I found it interesting and learnt much more than i was taught at school. The staff were great and very friendly.

T.

A must visit in Paihia. History, history and history! A very informative tour with Maori Culture performance. The museum is a great place to visit.

S.

A must see for anyone interested in Aotearoa New Zealand. The museum is excellent. Take a picnic and spend the day there.

S. S.

Museum was well worth it. Our guide was great. Show was just long enough and the whole place was worth a visit.

P. S.

A very historic and significant place for the country of New Zealand, Waitangi is a the site for the signing of treaties between the maori and and the british government. It is also a cultural and heritage site where visitors can learn alot about maori culture and watch the "hakka"

J.

Very special experience for all Kiwis. So enjoyed our time . Thank you.

M.

Well worth the visit. The museum was top class with informative displays, and the interactive screens were fun to use. The homestead has been wonderfully preserved, and we really enjoyed the Maori cultural show - the performers and the show were a highlight. Highly recommended.

N.

Everyone should experience it! Amazing - loved the guided tour and best if all THE SHOW

N.

Well worth the $ for the tour and the museum/war history museum are interesting and well presented. Good to see some of the NZ history lessons I missed growing up overseas well explained.

H.

Beautiful space to learn the history of Aotearoa. Grateful for the chance to be there, definitely a highlight of my end of year Northland trip.

S.

Very informative tour guide Barb. Lovely cultural show. Put you hand up to be chief. Great experience having a local warrior advancing with his weapon and spear to present the llive branch of friendship.

j. a.

This is a must do for every New Zealander. Wow. Blown away. Amazing use of the site, the history, the story. Great explanation of the history, the treaty, the people, the New Zealand Wars. The new museum is really moving. We read it but didn't do it- plan two visits, maybe two mornings. The first day do the first museum and walk around. On the return catch up on things you missed and do the new museum. The House, lawn and flag pole are really outstanding to see.

A. K.

Very well explained tour about the history of New Zealand. The museum is amazing and very well made, make sure you keep an hour at least to go through the entire area. There are some films which they play as well from time to time. The cultural show is also well organized and you can pose with the performers as well. The gift shop is a little expensive, so better look for soveniers elsewhere in Pahia. You can play cricket near the treaty grounds as well :)

J.

We took the free guided tour. Our tour guide was funny and informative. Highly, highly recommend

L.

Interesting, and the new museum building is great. Some of the signage in the rest of the ground is looking a bit worn out though. The cultural performance was very impressive and had an interesting talk from a sculptor. However, felt a little on the pricey side at $40 each for basic entry, ($20 for NZ residents).

B.

What a rich historical experience. Absolutely recommend a visit there. Rich in culture and experience to have.

A.

The history of New Zealand without the bias! This should be a must to visit for all Kiwis and any international visitor who would like to know how NZ came to be what it is today. Recently opened 'museum' is high quality and well presented. Allow up to 3hrs for a visit. Do the tour and cultural show if you haven't seen Maori perform before.

G.

A must visit and now blessed with the 28th Maori Battalion memorial building.

L.

Well presented historical grounds with multiple museums and cafes. Amazing gardens and views.

C.

Unsure what I was expecting but this place was amazing. The guided tour was great with lots of detail and history. The performance was perhaps targeted to international audiences but very well done, and the powhiri was powerful and highly memorable. On top of the grounds and gardens and gift shop and cafe are the NZ wars museum and the exceptional display area. We went twice to ensure we saw it all and thankfully your ticket is valid for at least 2 days. This is a must visit for locals and tourists alike.

B. T.

Amazing experience for the entire family, even the little ones (ages 5 & 3). There was lots for them to see and do and run around like wild children. We all loved the cultural show, so powerful and informative. Waitangi is a MUST for locals and tourists alike!

K.

Beautiful scenery, knowledgeable tour guide, loved the cultural show. Got cheaper entry through book me.co.nz than buying on the door, not sure if the places in town that sell tickets matched that price tho

S.

Fascinating insight into our history. Incredibly peaceful and beautiful location. Highly recommend the guided tour to get the most out of the day.

J. D.

Day had intermittent showers. This highlighted the lack of planning for rain. We got wet listening and watching in the rain. Management need to consider more shelter at times like that. Restaurant was slow. Staff did not know the contents of common foods sold. That said the visit was really informative. Guide was a little disappointing as he lacked enthusiasm in his delivery. Observed another who had more force in his approach At the price of admission a better effort is expected. Like others I agree the admission fee is exorbitant. A nation with pride in its beginnings would not charge a fee!!! The museum was beautifully presented a credit to those who established it. Well done. Nicely laid out with very thoughtful inclusion of objects and documents

J. Z.

Great cultural experience learning about the history of the aboriginals and Europeans in New Zealand, I would highly recommend the cultural experience!

L.

I thought this was good value for the entry fee. With a museum, art gallery, knowledgeable tour guide and a show including a traditional greeting, song and dance. If you're into history, allow a few hours to fully explore and take in all the info. The carving studio was a great bonus.

B.

Truly a historical piece of this awesome nation. At first I wasn't to keen on an audio your or a cultural performance but even as a kiwi, the amount of stuff you can learn is tremendous and the tour guides are very casual, sincere and have a great bit of charisma and comedy along their tours. The grounds themselves are in fantastic condition and it won't take up too much of your time either however I would definitely suggest going around everywhere on the grounda to really get your moneys worth and enjoy the experience!

T.

The guides are great and give a very personal view of New Zealands origins. Well worth a visit for both kiwis and tourists

S. Y.

The tour guide was funny and informative. Too bad so much of the politics cannot be explained here. Definitely something I'd do again. So much to see and learn!

N.

So for $50 your ticket includes a guided tour and a cultural performance, which on the off season is only three times a day. Seems like the guided tour on off season leaves every hour. The grounds are absolutely stunning and the performers that run the cultural performance are wonderful and you can truly tell they’re having an amazing time. The guided tour explains how New Zealand became sovereign, and what that meant for the Maori people, as well as the longest kayak in the world, and the Te Whare Runanga. I think our guide was having a bit of an off day (happens to us all), but the grounds themselves are truly stunning. The Bunsby house is also lovely. The war museum just opened and is, unfortunately, a work in progress. There are a lot of words in Maori that they don’t explain, or they mention a battle but don’t explain what happened, when it took place or the cultural significance. I think they need a suggestion box. Every person in the museum couldn’t figure out if they were reading it correctly or not (it starts with World War I Maori warriors, drops to the 1830s-1860s and then hikes back up to Vietnam), so we all thought we were going backwards. The cultural significance of this place is not to be missed, especially if you can manage it on a sunny day. I would recommend this place.

S. K.

Ended up here for some work which was not ready for us and to burn some free time I took my apprentice to the grounds as it had been a few years since I had last been there an his first visit to the area. Was a great few hours, browsing the Museum & all of the history with the grounds kept in a great condition.

M.

Excellent place to visit. Every NZer should make put it on their bucket list.

C.

A definite must visit place an experience. We booked the evening meal, which includes a day pass. Booking in advance makes things simpler. We arrived in time for the 2pm guided tour, which finishes next to the Maori meeting house and a coffee bar. After relaxing over a tea an ice cream, we joined the 3:30pm Maori cultural performance. From there we wandered back to spend time looking around the shop and museum, taking on a short film show. Next up was a delightful evening starting at 6pm and culminating with a meal that finished at 8:30 pm. A most enjoyable way to spend the day and we learnt a lot.

T.

History of New Zealand precisely summarized in this awesome towns of Paihia and Russell. Waitangi grounds are well maintained and awesome tour guides. Must do.

C. “. F. H.

Had a nice guided tour around the place with a knowledgeable and cool guide. Also attended a cultural performance which was also very cool.

J.

The new museum is really nice, and the grounds and buildings well kept. But it isn't right that kiwis have to pay, even if they want just to wander the grounds. And the fee is exorbitant (25$ each). Very sad.

A. B.

Really informative and funny guide. Great tour to do of you're interested in the early Mauri culture.

N.

Pretty much an essential visit for any kiwi. Staff friendly and helpful. Great background stories about how the treaty came about. Not so sure you should have to pay to see the treaty grounds though, that just seems wrong.

m.

It's a must do visit that you should not miss. You will be introduced to history of New Zealand and the story of the foundation of this country. This place is the location where the first treaty was signed up between the original people of New Zealand, the Māori, and the British on the 6th of February 1840. There are tours that takes through all the events that lead to that treaty and cover much more of the Māori culture. Well worth the time and highly recommend to visit

R.

Fantastic and eye opening experience, well worth even the steep price of entry as a non-kiwi!

E.

Great history place. New memorial museum impressive. Food and coffee very disappointing.

T.

Beautiful part of new Zealand history.Our guide was fantastic. I recommend all new new Zealanders as well as tourists should visit

G.

Beautiful experience, so much information about the country we new to. ❤

K. R.

Awesome place. I wish I had more time to spend there. Take the tour.

D.

Strongly recommend all those who stop by to take the guided tour through the Waitangi grounds. It's really informative and a good experience to take in actual events. The performances and the Marae experience is also awesome to connect with history that way.

F.

Definitely worth a visit! Guided tour and the cultural performance were excellent.

L.

A good visit. It had changed a bit from 15 years ago and the updates are professional and on par with an international museum setup. It's a beautiful ground and confronting with the struggles that our Maori faced during colonisation. A superb set up and worth doing. Added bonus you can split the visit over 2 days as the one ticket is valid for 2 consecutive days.

N.

An amazing experience that exceeded our expectations. Our tour guide was exceptional with his down to earth commentary as he took us on an authentic and emotional journey. A 'must see' for all New Zealanders.

S.

Excellent experience, the dinner and show were fantastic. The tour, performers and staff were very friendly and informative.

B. C.

Absolutely beautiful place, so much culture and so many things to learn. The performance was a very special thing to witness on such sacred grounds

C. D.

Excellent place for some history. Very educational. Beautiful grounds. Tour is a must. Museum on site.

B.

Must go! The guided walk with the "crown prince" was worth it. A real piece of history and beautiful artifacts. All authentic!

R.

A great place to be on Waitangi Day. Wonderful museum for learning about the early days of British colonisation, especially about the Treaty. On Waitangi Day, many food and other stalls; plus Kapa Haka items on the stages.

G.

Went on the Waitangi experience which involved a 50min tour and 30m Maori cultural show.All very entertaining and learnt a lot about the Treaty and those involved. New museum was excelent-worth spending time there.

R.

Great historical house "Waitangi Treaty House" with beautifully kept grounds overlooking the Bay to Russell.

A.

Interesting historical museum set amidst beautiful grounds. Rather pricey for non-NZ residents though. The war canoe was the highlight for me.

c.

This place gets better and better. Has been 12yrs since I came. Outstanding museum -one of the best I've ever been to. Well curated and clearly communicates the Waitangi story, in an interactive way. Dan Busby, our tour guide was just awesome and the cultural performance was fantastic. You need an entire day here. Our history is told with great grace and respect for all. Loved it, a must for all school children. And we also appreciated that its pretty reasonably priced. Kids under 18 are free!

G.

If you're a New Zealander, you need to make the pilgrimage to this historically significant location. See and hear the stories of a meeting of people's, culture, and religion in the history of New Zealand.

M.

The Maori traditional ‘hangi’ dinner and live performance at the Waitangi Treaty was very enjoyable. We watched the warrior challenge as part of a bush walk, and the energetic Maori music and dance was fantastic and moving. The multilayered meal cooked using the ancient hangi pit oven method was delicious! A day pass and guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds was also included. Phoenix was a fine host as were all the team and Maori people.

E. S.

Historic place for New Zealand. Great to see and hear the story. We had a great guide who spent an hour with explaining the story.

Y.

Recommended to spend maybe 3hours here because 1)There is a very nice cultural maori performance that lasts around 45mins. 2) There is a guided tour that lasts around 50mins. 3) There is a wood carvings demo that is around 30mins 4) There is a historical film that is around 20mins. This place closes at 5pm. The show was especially impressive, as the performers were filled with passion and enthusiasm.

S.

Very special day spent ha definite must visit excursion when in Northland

R.

The Waitangi museum and entire grounds have been excellenty set up and are a testament to everyone who has had a part in pulling it together. We loved this experience and the reflections it created. Would say this is a must do for every kiwi.

A.

Beyond my expectations, the new museum exhibition is wonderful, diffenitly worth going to and spending time learning about the NZ history and pop into the cafe for a refreshment as well. The staff are wonderful throughout this complex.

r.

I highly recommend the guided tour. We got so much more out of our visit and our 3 young children were fully engaged throughout. I would love every person living in New Zealand to visit these grounds and truly understand our history. We will be back to spend more time here.

b.

Such a beautiful place to visit & to understand the history of new Zealand.

R.

So enjoyed visiting waitangi on Saturday with my family knowing the history about our whanau and where we came from back in the days

D.

Place is amazing if you like to see and lurn something about Mauri culture

M.

As an American living permanently in NZ I've loved visiting the Treaty Grounds.. it's such a beautiful place that's very well maintained and the staff and performers are so nice.

N.

A must see for all kiwis! Stunning views, idyllic grounds, fantastic tours, friendly staff and just an awesome experience reading & learning about our history. The cultural show at the Marae was entertaining, comical & educational -well done team

j.

10 stars. Definitely recommend. English person here who's been in NZ for 16 months. I've learnt so much about Maori history and culture in one day than the past 16 months. I'll always remember everything I've seen and learnt today.

C.

Great place to learn and see the history of Northland and NZ. The historic buildings are incredible, and the war canoes are huge. The grounds are very well kept. The cultural performance was also very good to see.

R. M.

Local price $25, more for foreigners. Great place for New Zealanders history. Thy also do a cultural show and guided tour in th day pass.

M.

A must do in Paihia. We thoroughly enjoyed the cultural performance & guided tour.

J.

Awesome facility and well presented. Well worth a visit. 😊

s.

Very cool place, loved the live dancing and singing and our guide was very informative and hilarious... Worth a visit!

R. E. L.

Awesome became a ‘ Friend’ of the Treaty Grounds today seeing my wife’s Whanau pics are there!!

D.

Such a special day being taken round by a direct ancestor! Dan Busby, you gave a fantastic tour, your patter and banter 1st class. You were dignified, humble, in the best way, you were respectful of your audience and also the grounds we walked over. We were so pleased to learn more and loved the family stories you shared. I'm very proud to say I'm a Kiwi. Thank you

A.

Having never been to Waitangi on actual Waitangi day (6th February). I set my alarm and got up early to drive up to Paihia, where I found a place to park in Davis Street. I then joined many others making the pilgrimage up to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. I had missed the dawn ceremony but had arrived to the sounds of bagpipes being played by Bain McGregor under the flag pole. Spectacular Atmosphere. Was humbling to see and be ammoung so many people in a very significant spot and date of New Zealands history.

H.

Really educational, pleasant entertainers, great location and we hadabeautiful visit

G.

Lots of information and history. Strongly recommend the day pass and make sure you go to the performance.

A.

Stunning. Not cheap at $25 per person but undeniably worth it.

S.

Great start to learn the history on Aoteraroa. Tour and cultural performance was A+++.

D.

Interesting walk around. Food in the cafe is quite good, careful of the ducks

E. G.

Loved this History. Great museum. Amazing Bush walks and grounds with oceans views.

F.

It was an experience to see & touch the land the Treaty was Signed. Waitangi is honestly a beautiful & humbling place to be.

G.

We did the tour and the guide was very informative, interesting and funny, also did the culteral experience and my husband was chief and I was Mrs Chief! Loved the stories, dancing and explanations of times gone by...do not miss this if in the area 😊👍

L.

A very significant part of the Bay of Islands. Enjoyed the history and the views.

A.

The Entrance fee was too expensive to see Maori culture show.

L.

Fabulous experience. A must- do cultural day. Give yourself plenty of time to enjoy it all

O.

The Great Centre of Maori Culture! You must visit and see it everything!

C.

A must see when visiting New Zealand. So much history. Quality tours and museum and historical buildings and landscape.

H.

Well worth a visit, take the tour with the guide explaining about Waitangi and the treaty. I learnt a lot in 50 min with a passionate guide. The information was historically correct but also with personal input from family oral history. On the whole it challenged my assumptions about what I thought. Visited over two days seeing everything except the museum on the first day and back on the second to take time viewing the history and the evolving interpretation of the Treaty of Waitangi. There is a maori carver on site who you can talk to and watch him at work. On the work bench is a carving of a boy and behind him are two large carvings that you would traditionally see on the outside of a whare. They are part of a maori legend and we'll worth asking about. Lots of interesting anecdotes about the things and people at Waitangi over the years. Recommended. Regarding the price of entry, bear in mind it covers two museum sites, the treaty house, the war waka, guided tour, grounds and a cultural performance, this can be split over two days just keep your receipt. Also Waitangi does not receive any outside funding the admission fee is used to maintain and improve the grounds and enables new exhibits to be built to explain and display taonga. All children under the age of 18 are free NZ or international.

P.

Very beautiful Marae, it costs $20 for NZers and more for tourists. There are limited car parks. If you plan to go on Waitangi Day, walk if you can. There is so much traffic and not enough car parks.

M.

Beautiful way to spend the day. The museums were broken up into different buildings spread over beautiful grounds. The gardens and walkways alone are reasons to visit. I appreciated the shade from the trees and the breeze coming from the beach. A good space for kids because lots of space for them to run around. You could spend the whole day here or come back another day. I liked the guided tour and the cultural performance. It came with the ticket I purchased.

A.

A must visit. I spent nearly 5 hours here and could've stayed longer. Really enjoyed every aspect of my visit. NZ history presented in a superb way - engaging, educational and enthralling!

A.

World class museum and historical site, stunning scenery and wonderful tour guides. Highly recommended for tourists and locals alike

K.

Huge grounds. Great views. Guided tours. Alot of history here. Enjoyed ourselves.

W.

Was an awesome and educational experience. Spent 2 hours there, could have spent more.

F.

This was very pleasant, friendly and welcoming. I learnt more about the time before the 1840s. The tour was awesome having ear pieces meant you heard it all.Being able to return the next day for the same entry price means my teenage grandchildren will absorb more as they need the extra time to take reflect on all that is here. Thankyou.

D.

We had little idea of what to expect but were blown away by this beautiful cultural experience. Our guide during the tour was excellent, the performance amazing & to be able to get photos with the performers & have them answer questions was most informative. We returned the following day just to pick up what we missed the day prior. A very important part of NZ history that must continue to be funded for all the world to experience when visiting the Bay of Islands.

P. W.

Every Kiwi should visit this place at least once. Something very grounding about being in the place our county was born.

V.

Historic building where New Zealand was founded as a country

J.

Really interesting place to visit, great tour and tour guide too, the cultural show was fantastic, enjoyed all of the experience. Both museums were full of interesting history too. Will be visiting again.

P.

A must visit, and worth the money. We are coming back. The pass is 2 days we unfortunately went on our last day, we were there for 5 hours and didn't have time to explore everything so I would recommend using the 2 days. Te Rau Aroha museum is moving and will bring tears to your eyes. Coming to Waitangi opens your eyes to what really happened in New Zealand. It is so interesting you need hours to read everything. I think everyone in New Zealand should know what really happened that still to this day affects New Zealanders, the information is presented in an informative, beautiful, peaceful way.

P.

A warm and informative greeting at entrance and the two museums on a wet day were excellent. So much quality audio visual displays. Now I think we have a very accurate picture of what really happened and why we live still with so much angst.

T.

Beautiful views. The tour guide was awesome, she had so much information to share. 2 museums. The cultural experience was good. Love how beautiful the grounds are kept.

S.

I love this place! there is so much to learn, the museum is fabulous. There are great facilities. Bring your kids! This is the most child-friendly, non-child-orientated place I have ever been. There are games on the lawn, out for people to play, no cars in the grounds, no dogs and no smokers. The staff are friendly and helpful. Before I could blink someone was there lifting my stroller up the stairs and helping us to the front so the babies could see. The cultural performances are amazing. The cafe has fantastic coffee and food and is also very accommodating to kids.. There are (very well fed) eels in the stream, right by the cafe. Beautiful place, allow yourself plenty of time, there's so much to see and it is so peaceful.

S.

Got to be the best cultural experience in our little country. Authentic, honest, beautiful and just one of those places you have to go as a kiwi. Can't recommend it highly enough. The tour guides are awesome and not something I normally go for, but so worth it.

K.

Great history, guide and show. Well worth the trip

P.

Very detailed history of New Zealand includes the wars and detailed history of the treaty well worth a visit.

R.

Good to visit one of the most significant historical sites in New Zealand again. The new museum is enlightening and well presented.

d.

A very interesting place to visit. Thoroughly enjoyed learning about the history of this special place

F.

Very informative place. Enjoyed our visit there lots. Was well maintained, friendly staff. Lots of walking around and points of interest.

R.

A lovely guided tour to learn our history. Really enjoyed the welcome then cultural show in the Marae. Very well done and somewhere every NZer should get to at least once in your life to see where it all began

G.

Stunning views over the bay. A truly fascinating cultural and historical site, and one that every New Zealander should visit. Tourists too can learn about the relatively young, but thoroughly interesting history of our country. The grounds are vast, well maintained, with the Treaty House doubling as a museum. I've deducted 2 stars from would should he a 5* rating due to the outrageous pricing for foreigners... $50 vs. $25 for locals. I'm sorry, but that's just too high, and was frankly a little embarrassing when I had to explain it to my foreign guests. 😞

T.

Price was $25 for new Zealand residents and $50 for over seas visitors for the adults and free for kids but still way overpriced especially when it's a highlight for Maori culture. Tours were rather boring although this is coming from a child's perspective. Very clean and lots of buttons to play with for the kids. Multiple movies displaying constantly. Reasonable experience 😃

A.

Wonderful cultural and historical Experience of our Beautiful Aotearoa !!! Go on a sunny day & enjoy the Cultural shows (at a number of different times ) informative & friendly guided tours , gorgeous native bush walks and Absolutely Stunning views ! There is also ample parking & a cafe as well . Fantastic value at only $25 for adult admission ( that is valid for visiting in 2 consecutive days !) Enjoy !

G.

A must to visit, gives an insight into the origins of the special relationship between the Maori people and the British. Cultural shows and the rest, simply the best.

C.

it is one of MUST visit place when you have chance to come to Paihia or Kerikeri. You will find true spirit of New Zealander. Museums are wll configured to learn about Waitangi Trety. Highly recommend guided tour and Maori cultural performance. You will need half of day to enjoy the place well.

P.

Worth a visit, add on a cultural performance Very good

B.

Amazing history to discover, guided tours, museums.

L.

Absolutely LOVED the treaty grounds. Super educational. The guide was great. The cultural performance was one of the best I’ve seen in New Zealand— PASSIONATE crew. Wow, fantastic. The museum is just superb and the actual grounds itself are just beautiful. We spent a good three hours here enjoying all of the history!

A.

This place will truly transport you to the proud and artistic culture of the Māoris.

T.

Local Iwi doing a wonderful job putting the Treaty of Waitangi and Maori culture in a realistic, educational and positive framework. Well worth the $25 entrance fee which supports the historic places, museums etc.

D.

Cultural experience second to none, please do visit.

D.

A wonderful place to spend a couple of hours learning about New Zealand history. with spectacular views across the harbour to Russell. All wheelchair accessible. Plenty of parking for cars and motorhomes.

P.

The Waitanga Treaty Grounds was a wonderful experience. We took the guided tour which included a Maori cultural performance. The guide was, of course, very informative, and we also enjoyed the performance. We also toured a new museum on the grounds dedicated to the Maori contribution to the wars. It was very moving. Being from the States, I could only surmise that indigenous people everywhere have paid a steep price when we have decided we liked their country and wanted it for ourselves. I would just add that if you are visiting New Zealand, I would encourage you to spend a few hours touring this site to better appreciate the country and history of the people you are visiting .

A.

Wonderful place to learn more about the history of NZ.

J.

Great place to learn about The Treaty of Waitangi and the history of New Zealand.

G.

A visit here is a must...not only for tourists but Kiwis can learn valuable lessons about the history of the treaty and its impact today

B.

We visited The Treaty Grounds in November. We only had the last day of our spring break there. That was sad for us as we enjoy what we could in the time we had. Your need a good day there may be two. The grounds are well cared for and the building in excellent order. The Museum was large and well appointed. In all we have to go back to see what we mist and hope fully by our next visit the new "Maori Regiment" museum will be open too. 10/10

M.

This place is an excellent place to start New Zealand travel. The treaty ground is beautiful and very educational. The admission seems high but it includes museum entrance, guided tour and cultural performance. I saw cultural performance at another location but this one is much better and seemed authentic. We ended up staying for four hours. Would have stayed longer to relax. Calm and beautiful.

S.

Great cultural and historic place for all of New Zealand. More here to see than you think.

D.

Cost us $25 each and it was definitely worth it- other reviews criticising the price must not know what Waitangi is actually like now. Guided tour and very good cultural performance included which adds to the experience. We spent 2 afternoons here and could have spent longer. Two museums, gallery, short movie and carving studio, in addition to the classic Busby house, waka and walking around the grounds. Every Kiwi should come here.

S.

Amazing, moving experience. You will need a few hours here so don't rush yourself. Make sure you take a tour and watch the cultural show. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and funny. We will be back, hopefully one Waitangi day!

L.

A good understanding of Origins of NZ. Do stay for the cultural performance at 1pm n 3pm.

S.

Great place for the history lovers, Maori culture and superb views

K.

What a wonderful place , the Grounds and Gardens , the heritage and museum and the tour guide was something else thanks for such a great opportunity to connect with NZ

J.

Great experience. The history, amazing.

M.

Very modern and interesting museum, funny live guide for the tour and wonderful grounds. The Maori cultural performance was a perfect ending. Good extra activities for children. Points to improve on: carving workshop and cafe close too soon.

C.

We didn't really know what to expect and didn't leave much time to visit, but we were blown away by this place. Brilliant museum, excellent guided tour & lively maori cultural performance - all included in the price. The views of the bay from the flagpole are superb. If we'd known how much there was to see, we would have planned to spend more time here. Would highly recommend it!

D.

Amazing museum with really good illustrations, had a good stroll around the place. Also this was our first experience to step into a Marae (Local meeting ground)

k.

Very informative view of Maori culture and history. Must visit.

V.

Such an interesting place to visit. The guided tour is free and it is excellent. The concert is good too. The tee shirts were good quality and reasonable price.

J.

Very special place. Location beautiful. A must do.

s.

Most worthy place to visit in whole Bay of Islands & Northland! I and my husband took the guided tour of 30 minutes followed by a beautiful performance of Maori culture and most amazing visit to the museum. Totally enjoyed it in 50$ for 2 persons being NZ residents. Will add photos shortly but highly recommend it to all tourists visiting Bay of Islands as people usually go for boat rides, bus trip and skip this point which is the biggest mistake in their itinerary. This place is definitely worth a visit in lifetime!

J.

The most incredible experience! It was so personal and touching. What a wonderful way to share in the Maori culture. And the food was amazing! Paihia is the most beautiful place I have ever been. Must visit in NZ

R.

Really enjoyed the tour, and it was great to hear about the New Zealand heritage and origins. Our guide was well informed and friendly. Make sure you stay within range of him/her to hear what is being said. All facilities were clean and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience

K.

I visited the new ww1 exhibition with a friend. We wondered through learning alot about where the soldiers fought. A great presentation for us to remember them

G.

Amazing place, fantastic knowledgeable staff.Think u know your own history, you don't. This is a must see for every Kiwi

O.

Absolutely brilliant. As a kiwi who has lived away for a long time, it's so cool to come back and see the Waitangi I remember from my childhood has grown up and become a tasteful, authentic and great day out. Watching the cultural show I was so proud of the performers and the away they told their story. History could be more honest regarding the fraud of the NZ government in breaching so much of the treaty, but it's come so far from what we grew up with. Really positive signs and great to see the centres modern and the little forest walk growing up. Highly recommended.

Z.

Highly recommend doing a guided tour as you learn so much more

W.

I really liked it and the performance was really cool but I was to wet for the kids so that was the only down fall about it apart of that it was really cool and exciting to learn and share with us about the treaty of waitangi thank you😀😀

J.

Was a awesome experience the kaupapa of the museum and every exhibit there from Maori battalion to the treaty house and the waitangi exhibit but most of all enjoyed the cultural experience giving a mean sense of wairua. Recommended hundred times over.

m.

Well worth the visit very informative and being from New Zealand mind blowing beautiful places

M.

Very informative and interactive museum

K.

Great experience, provides an excellent view of the Maori history!

J.

We were there for a school trip and we loved it! We used the Learning Centre where the tutors were brilliant. Our kids learned a lot in a really fun and unique setting.

D.

Great experience, tour is a must do, very informative.

J.

Excellent day spent with the kids, thoroughly enjoyed by all. Loved the cultural performance, new museum and wandering through all the walks. Very well worth the visit and will do again

M.

Beautiful place with plenty of informations and history to learn about. It is one the most important place of New Zealand and Maori culture so if you keen on learning about he country, well don't hesitate! The museum is brand new it opened in 2016. I would recommend to go on weekday as it can get a bit crowded in summer

M.

Very good museum which presents history from Maori and European points of view. Great Maori cultural performance, far better than Auckland War Museum one. The performance was not a show but serious. And very beautiful views of Bay of Island. You can skip the tour guide if you are not very fluent in English (all is explained in the museum and you will save time).

F.

Had such an insightful few hours at the Treaty grounds, starting with an excellent guided tour for an hour, and also a cultural performance. The exhibitions are wonderfully laid out and I feel very proud as a Kiwi that we have such a treasure of a place, and a very honest one in regards to our history

D.

Great experience with fantastic guides and well cared for grounds and amenities. Every NZer should visit (as well as tourists) to understand our history

C.

Beautiful! Not only because it looks beautiful but because you can feel the history of the area and the guides are a bonus! They relate it beautifully too. Love it! Arohanui 😊

K.

Fascinating slice of early New Zealand history, but pricey. Free entry on 6th February, but every other day it is around $50 dollars per person, which gets you a guided tour and a twenty minute Maori show. For those on a budget I suggest taking the foot ferry across the bay to Russell, and walking up to Flagstaff Hill, where you can get essentially the same information for free, with glorious views added in.

P.

Beautiful location and very informative guide. You get a wireless headset so you don't have to be close to the guide to hear what he's saying. The history is fascinating and there's plenty to see. Only disappointment was not seeing the actual treaty (or even a copy of it), seems a rather large omission to an otherwise excellent tour.

A.

Very informative and a great introduction to the Māori culture and New Zealand overall. This was the first thing we did when we arrived in New Zealand and It really helped us understand the country and how the people live and interact with one another. We also learned about the signing of the treaty at that location and how it has shaped the country to be the way it is today. There’s a small forested area with lots of info about NZ native birds and flora. The grounds are beautiful and meticulously kept. We got to experience some traditional Māori song and dance at the end of our tour too which was very enjoyable. The tickets were quite expensive but if you are in town for a few days it grants you access to the grounds the next day as well If you arrive late, as there’s also a self guided museum and wood carving demonstration/seminar on site too. Overall, great intro to NZ.

J.

My first time having Waitangi day in Waitangi. Very worth the trip. Lots of other activities near by to keep everyone entertained.

N.

Loved the whole experience, especially the cultural performance.

H.

Really interesting historic place, friendly tour quide!

S.

Our Maori guide was terrific. Before I came I had no real idea that there a treaty (I'm from US, NZ history is not a strong suit) and certainly no idea of the potentially damaging history of relations between the people's since then. He presented that story well and with forgiveness and tolerance. The cultural experience was also very well done. The Maori dances, explanations and enthusiasm were memorable.

E.

A must see for any New Zealander or visitor

l.

They do a great Job. An amazing historical place. Awesome tour. Cultural performance was great. A day well spent.

C.

Such an amazing place to visit!! Well worth doing the tour, the guide we had was such a character with such fabulous personal stories to tell that made the journey just that much more interesting. Even though I have lived in NZ my whole life I feel like I learnt so much on this day and have now come to fully appreciate our history. Thank you team!!

L.

Great historical place to visit in NZ. The tour guides have loads of information beyond the designated tour if you ask them, the museum and grounds are full of NZ's history if you're willing to do a little reading, and the whole place is beautifully serene. I spent maybe half an hour after the whole tour was finished talking to the performers; they were all full of information about modern NZ and eager to share their experiences. Well worth a visit.

P.

Amazing people. Every one of them. Thank you so much for the way you all conduct yourself and emphasizing the importance of Maori Culture and the events of the 1700 and 1800s in particular. I found enlightenment in today's tour at the treaty grounds and its nearby amenities when we were given a guided tour throughout the site. I recommend that every visitor to the Bay of Islands take the opportunity to attend the tour and watch first hand, a performance of the traditional Maori welcoming into a meeting house.

G.

A great place to visit allow at least 3 hours for your visit. It's well worth the 50 dollars

A.

Brilliant experience that every NZer and visitor to our shores must surely enjoy. There is now a wide range of very accessible information for all ages and races. The story of the Treaty of Waitangi is at the heart of the story of NZ.

M.

Essential stop on a tour of New Zealand, if you're a history buff and interested in understanding the continuing ramifications of colonialism. The museum is particularly well curated. I recommend devoting at least a half day to fully review the site and take advantage of all the available programming.

J.

The cultural performance is a must, it's very welcoming and entertaining. The guided tours provide a well balanced view into some potentially controversial topics without pushing strong agendas. Foreign and local tourists will find this a great experience. If you've had very little exposure to Maori culture then this is a very good place to start.

M.

Thoroughly enjoyed the museum & learning more, wish we had allocated more time to spend here. We did manage to see a cultural performance which was excellent. Very interesting. The grounds are beautiful & fantastic views across the bay. Well worth the entrance fee. Make sure you allocate plenty of time to spend here if you are visiting!!

S.

Nice place to visit. Especially when it is Waitangi Day and all the festivities take place.

W.

A must for all New Zealanders.. at least once. Great displays. Challenging history. Welcoming cultural performances. Will be rewarding for non- New Zealanders too.

D.

Hugely impressive and the renovation has added greatly to what you can see in the museum section. The guides are often very entertaining and we love the history and buildings both old and new. If you want to go to one place and learn about the sometimes turbulent history of NZ, I'd put this one above anywhere else.

E.

The grounds are very well maintained with grass along the shore that can be a welcome treat if you’ve been walking on sidewalks and pavement. The show is a must see, although you are strictly prohibited from taking videos. It can be a bit crowded with tourists at times, but overall worth taking the tour and seeing the show.

R.

A very special place to Kiwis AND international visitors!

k.

Fantastic experience, state of the art museum. The tour was fascinating and informative. The live cultural Maori performance at the end was brilliant. Well worth a visit.

E.

Amazing place.. worth visiting once for sure.. cultural performance is definitely a must.. the whole tour helps u get a differnt prespcitve of how life was during those days .. P.S - Surely a haven for some one who loves history :)

B.

Well worth the visit - the museum, guided tours & concert were a wonderful addition since my last visit years ago - important for my young family to visit Waitangi, but I also learnt a lot & was very pleased to re-visit. The concert performance was wonderful - an introduction to various performance techniques/meanings etc, all brought together into 1 piece. The performance group appeared to genuinely enjoy themselves & were humorous too. Thank you!

D.

Fascinating input on the history of the founding of New Zealand. The tour was good, the right length and informative. We also really enjoyed the cultural performance - but interesting and also entertaining

T.

A definite must! NZ history set in beautiful grounds. Great guides, gateaux show and good food at the café. The gift shop has tons of nice mementos, too. Excellent for a stroll and views to die for.

T.

An incredible day and evening at the Treaty Grounds. The Hangi was fantastic. The food melted in your mouth, with plenty of food available for people with food allergies. The performance and concert gave me a great insight into the Maori culture. A big thanks goes to Phoenix who was our host for the evening, as well as the other staff for their hospitality. I highly recommend this experience.

S.

Learnt about the history of the Maori, including the not so great British impact with the 1840 treaty. New museum opened last week for National Waitangi Day 6th Feb. Cultural performance done very nicely by a performing arts Maori group with great enthusiasm, in their genuine Meeting Hut, that was built adjacent to the Treaty House. Well worth spending a few hours here, not cheap at $50 but have some respect for what you're helping to maintain- there is no government support, no surprise there it would appear.

R.

Professionally run, great guide, brilliant recollection of some vital New Zealand history. Also definitely recommended the cultural performance that is offered, it's short but very energetic and really added to the experience. Great stuff. Whole experience should take about 2 hours or so.

J.

Great value for money. You get a performance, access to amazing historic Maori canoes and marae (Maori house), 50min tour and views over the bay. The guided tour is informative, moving and some classic kiwi humor along the way. There are plenty wash rooms and a few cafes all surrounded by nature.

J.

Very impressive. The Treaty House and the marae are well maintained (actually, the house has been renovated beyond recognition from my previous visit in 1967) and the museum is a fine tribute to the Maori Battallion. Our guide was the best! She knew her stuff, and shared her knowledge without ums and aahs. Very impressive. Ka pai, Rehu.

M.

One of my favourite places in the world!! Every Kiwi should visit - it’s such a beautiful, poignant and meaningful place. ❤️

M.

If you are interested in the history of New Zealand, this visit is a must. The guided tour by a Maori is excellent. The museum is great. With a modern video of the actual negotiation among the Maori ntribes and English. Lots of displays. Nice walk from town (Paihia).

p.

This proved to the most memorable place we visited in the whole of New Zealand. The film shown about how the Treaty was agreed to by the Maori is wonderful. The museum is marvellous and and the site as a whole is invigorating.

J.

Excellent. We spent about 3-4 hours here as a family. Was enough to keep the 2 kids entertained. Fantastic tour and cultural experience. New Zealand should be extremely proud of this site, the heritage, and how it is represented here today.

B.

It's part of our heritage, our history, our partnership. Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

D.

Must do for anyone who wants to learn more of nz history both Maori and european. Amazing place. Very peaceful.

B.

Wow. This was one of the best museums I’ve ever been to. It’s so much more than that because you actually get to walk in the same footsteps on the day the Waitangi Treaty was signed. This is the most I’ve ever understood about the Waitangi Treaty. If you want to start to understand Maori rights to the land, and how Maori and colonizers established their relationships, you must visit this museum.

G.

Most amazing experience of our whole trip to the North Island of NZ! So much insight into NZ's history and it's first outside settlers. We felt honoured to be invited to share in the cultural presentation, and this experience gave so much depth of understanding into every other experience we had exploring NZ.

J.

Worth the trip here to experience such an important part of NZ history. The tour guides are knowledgeable and personable.

K.

Beautiful, a very spiritual place ❤

L.

Amazing trip thought provoking and insightful. Amazing to learn about the history of our great nation.

S.

Friendly and helpful staff. Highly Recommended for your stay.

L.

Great guide in Ngati Kawa who gave us a wonderful tour. All done with a touch of humour and much respect. Exceptional experience.

S.

A place every kiwi should visit sometime. It was wonderful to see where our country began, and learn of both the positive and negative history ever since.

M.

Very engaging and informative morning here today. Start early at 9am and see much of the museum before the tour and cultural performance. Lovely grounds and superb views over Bay of Islands. A must if in the area.

A.

A must go if you have little interest in the history of New Zealand and how the treaty of Waitangi took shape. This is the place of the most significance in the NZ history and colonial settlement some 200+ years ago.

R.

A very beautiful and moving place. Grounds are beautifully kept, tour guide was excellent and the cultural performance was a lot of fun. Very informative, too. I learnt a lot. I ended up spending 6 hours there, so it was well worth the price of admission.

k.

One of the best Maori performances I have been to in new Zealand. Has great history. Museum added in 2016 is very well done and nicely conditioned to get out of the heat if your there in summer. 100% worth it. Try and set aside as much time as possible to just roam

C.

Possibly the most beautiful place I have been in the world. I would highly recommend a visit here with a very informative guided tour. The gift shop is full of treasures and actually really well priced compared to other tourist shops.

L.

Another absolute must-visit when in the area - at least once. Very historically and culturally relevant place, with highly knowledgeable guides. The day pass to the museum and treaty grounds, with the cultural evening experience combo; makes for really insightful and good value for money excursion

A.

An incredible experience to know about Maori and their culture. Recommended.

K.

The entrance fee has been put to good use in the preservation and upkeep of this historical site. I particularly like the children's "guide" pack that sparked more than an interest in our children to find out more and beyond what we see ie roman numerals on frames of door etc ... The cafe is also cozy and grounds well maintained. Highly recommended!

R.

In the seventies there was an add saying don't leave home till you've seen the country, it's a place every kiwi should visit before leaving home. It's as important to New Zealanders as the signing of independent is to the U.S. Make sure you go through the museum for a more in-depth look into the history of the treaty. Our guide had us cracking up, from her lack of knowledge to her humour. At the top of the hill is an awesome view of the bay and the Russell. Enjoy

b.

The birth place of New Zealand as we know it today is a must visit to all kiwis. It is a place filled with historic significances. The museum is carefully curated and the treaty house, well restored. I couldn't do the guided tour but went to the cultural show, which in itself was fantastic. If you're in the bay of islands, it's a must do.

G.

Had a guided tour with a very informed & humourous leader followed by a traditional performance. This is an amazing place to learn more about our history & heritage. Great experience

A.

Loved the place Worth to see the history

N.

Firstly your entry ticket allows you to return as there truly is alot to take in on our Treaty Grounds. It is an emotional journey to be absorbed over a couple of days if you can. Take your time and read all the information boards to gain a full understanding and view the many treasures on display.There are also beautiful forest lined pathways and we were lucky enough to experience a mighty Kauri tree self prune one of his branches before our eyes. For me we were in a special place in time. Our experience finished with the Maori Battalion memorial. You can not leave this section without feeling a huge weight of sadness.

v.

From this kiwis experience I loved it. The performance was top notch and by golly the food was top notch. Even learnt a little about nz history

R.

Superb history and especially cultural performance. Don't miss the cultural show, worth the price. Welcoming, polite and very happy to help you understand history.

D.

Stunning. Loved this place and really enjoyed the cultural experience in the meeting house. As a 5th generation pakeha New Zealander I thought the show would be uninspiring, I was wrong and came away truly impressed with the experience. Thanks. The museum was very interesting and I look forward to returning and looking through the planned 28th Maori Battalion museum currently starting construction. So be you new or old to Aotearoa, visit this place.

R.

Awesome. Great carvings. Interesting museum. Cool waka. Go there.

조.

The guide tour is worth spending time at the grounds, and the maori cultural performance was very impressive.

K.

Very special place. Watched cultural experience. Very moving

R.

Excellent set up & history.. But Kiwis used to be free to go in. Now its $25. I refused to pay to go on to my treaty grounds. Should be koha only.

K.

Great cultural experience and well presented museum. So many places to sit and observe, read and soak up. The traditional Maouri ceremony and dance was an awesome experience. We would come back just to remind ourselves of Aotearoa New Zealand rich history, strong legacy and collaboration of diverse cultures.

R.

Learnt so much here. The performance was outstanding. Definitely going back as I couldn't get to read everything. Very highly recommended.

D.

Tour gave a good intro to Maori language, history and culture. Museum was comprehensive, well laid out, not too much info. Cultural performance sparked with energy even though the performers must do it several times a day. Good food in restaurant, I had falafel pita pocket, recommended for veggies.

S.

Must do, if you’re traveling in Newzealand. History Place.

A.

One word for this place "amazing". If you would like to learn about New Zealand history, Maori culture and traditions then this is the place to do it. The Hungi experience is wonderful and worth the extra money. You can spend a few hours here doing self guided tours on top of the included cultural show and tour. If you have no interest in this sort of thing then it's probably not for you.

A.

Admission price is steep (50 NZD!!), albeit half price for kiwi residents/citizens. There is a guided tour included and a cultural performance included in the price. It is all well setup, clean and informative. I was glad to visit but would I return? Not at that price.

S.

awesome history, I had a great guide and there are lots of interactive activities. Got welcomed onto a marae which was so cool its got a good location as it's close to paihia so it's easy to add onto any journey.

S.

Come for the most beautiful views in the South Pacific, stay for the excellent tour guides who engagingly teach about the fascinating history of New Zealand

k.

Awesome day plenty to see and do..

S.

Great atmosphere during Waitangi Day celebrations. Lots of food stalls and kids activities. Well worth the visit.

S.

Did not see the musuem because 50$ for a small musuem is ridiculous. You can check out Maori culture at other museums for free. Yes it's a guided tour but in the information age everyone can read and look it up.

C.

So good I went back the next day. I highly recommend the guided tour, the cultural show was delightful, the cafe was excellent but most of all the friendly welcome from the front desk put me immediately at ease to relax, and enjoy everything on offer. Fellow Kiwis - it's a treasure in our own backyard!

D.

A great day for my family. It was educational and entertaining for a fair price.

M.

This is a really lovely experience that brings an interesting and important piece of New Zealand's history to life. I particularly appreciated the guided tour, our guide was amazing and the information.he shared made the experience meaningful. Definitely something worthy experiencing if you're in Paihia.

P.

A absolute must to do. The guided tour option is available, and worthwhile.

D.

Great display of Maori ceremony, performed with aplomb by a highly skilled group.

T.

Worth a visit! It got so much better with the newly opened museum. Add at least an extra hour to go thru there. Lots of interesting facts to learn. Highly recommended! Take a guided tour and check out the cultural performance. Bring at least 4 hours of time for your visit!

O.

The new museum is very well curated and the grounds are not only historical but offer a great view of the lake cal area. Is you have extra time do not miss a walk through the forest between the main building and the grounds.

G.

We loved the guided tour - very interesting and full of querky kiwi humour. Also the Maori cultural event was lovely with some beautiful harmonised singing. You can sense the history all around.

J.

It was a really great experience to see the birthplace of our nation. Learned so much more detail about our country's history.

D.

A well setup tourist trap. Theyve obvious invested in this place as its always modern tidy and well staffed. Great if you like the history, but not a whole lot to do. Great views on a good day though. The resturaunt's good, if a little pricy. Could use something for the kids.

C.

Such a great experience with fantastic people that work there. We felt so welcomed and were honored to enjoy this experience. Highly recommend doing the guided tour.

H.

Such a privilege to be here for 6 hours thoroughly enjoying reading and experiencing everything including the concert which was so professionally done. Delightful. Loved the history. Amazing guides who spoke with such passion.

M.

One of the best things to see in the Bay of Islands. This place gives a great introduction to the Treaty of Waitangi. There is a fascinating interactive museum as well as good culture show and excellent guides showing people around the historic grounds. The views from thexgrounds are excellent as well. Definitely a must see for every visitor.

J.

Ok i see a lot of people complaining about an entry fee i guess they dont see read the sign saying the grounds are not covered by the government and 100% of the fee goes to upkeep. Having said all that what an amazing experience. Unfortunately could only squeeze in 2 and a half hours as we were on holidays from Australia and heading further north but could easily have spent the whole day here exploring and learning the history. The video in the museum recreating the signing of the treaty was well put together and quite humourous at times i could actually imagine our tipuna/ancestors being pretty cheeky like that. This place is a must visit if you find your self up north. Will be back again.

E.

This was a culturally and historically interesting area to visit, even for a non-kiwi. The waka was much larger than I expected. The signs were well placed and informative. We caught a bit of one of the guided tours, which also seemed well-presented, although we decided to just explore on our own. The cultural performance was quite interesting, however, unless you manage to snag one of the front row seats or are quite tall, I don't feel it is worth the price. I spent most of the performance trying to peer between the shoulders of the people in front of me and not seeing much. The singing was pretty and what I did manage to see was neat though!

T.

Fantastic! This is the birthplace of New Zealand, and it certainly does it proud. Excellent, knowledgeable tour guides, beautiful display and explanation of the war canoe (waka), a tour of the Busby house and of course a Marae and a traditional Maori performance. Really good experience. Make sure to visit the new museum, opened only last year (2016)

N.

Beautiful location. The background to the treaty is well explained. One of the best Maori cultural performances we've seen during our trip.

D.

All the staff are enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge of their culture. The grounds and buildings and outside structures are well maintained. The over view of the bay reminds me of Baddeck, Nova Scotia, Canada. Beautiful!

J.

Beautifully presented & cared for. Tour guide was fab. Really enjoyed our time there & what we learned. Well worth the visit & entrance fee.

R.

Great little Marae for hui etc, as well as beautiful museum, grounds and hotel with best wet area

E.

My wife and I visited the Waitangi Treaty Grounds on 29 Sept 2015. We did the tour and we weren't disappointed with the knowledge of the guide. He was funny at times and was able to answer all our questions. The Waitangi grounds are very interesting and has interesting history. We recommend this site as part of your itinerary.

C.

Fantastic place with so much fascinating history

s.

Beautiful serene and so welcoming. A must visit to learn more about Maori culture and history.

P.

We should all know and understand our history, not just the colonial version. Aotearoa has a long and deep history we need to learn and respect it

R.

Interesting place. Learnt about the treaty and early New Zealand history. Paid extra for the guided tour but the tour itself seemed rushed and although it had a personal touch was lacking in detail. You may learn more going around at your own pace and reading the displays.

J.

Amazing place. All NZ Citizens & Permanent Residents should visit to help them understand biculturalism.

E.

Wonderful to experience some of the Maori culture. Excellent guide, and concert party good to.

B.

Loved it well worth a visit. Museum was great really well set out and informative. Grounds were beautiful and enjoyed the show. Scenery was amazing, really enjoyed our time there

l.

Its was amazing such a surreal experience I was blown away and would recommend all new Zealanders to visit at least once

G.

Great well worth it make sure your do the free guided tour . Touched out hearts made us proud to be New Zealanders

D.

As a native of New Zealand, the Bay of Islands is a great destination, as it provides an excellent slice of NZ history. One of the most important ones has got to be Waitangi, and the treaty grounds. Recommended to take the tour, it provides a wealth of insight into little known facts about the Treaty of Waitangi, along with an excellent cultural performance.

J.

Great place to learn about the history of New Zealand and with the added bonus of an amazing location.

C.

We visited on a nice clear day and had an enjoyable time walking around the grounds. Everything was nice and accessible (as we had a push-chair) and it was quite interesting to learn more about NZ's formation as a country. The introductory film shown in the theatre was worth watching. Seeing some of the historic buildings and places was quite something.

C.

Really Cool experience, tour guide was crack up, cool learning about New Zealands history. highly recommended if your around

H.

Fabulous museums with much history of NZ told in photos and artifacts. Cultural performance was great

D.

Great historic site, strong museum exhibitions, excellent Maori cultural performance, musical and charming. Would be 5 star, but $50 is pretty far above comparably excellent tourist spots. For example, Te Papa is free!

C.

Awesome place, great to experience the history. The museum was much larger and more interesting than anticipated. Easily spent an hour inside. Will be going back.

J.

Must take the tour. The grounds are so beautiful & wonderful for a picnic or long lunch at one of the amazing restaurants here. The scenic views, the cultural & historic aspects require time to appreciate - a few hours would allow you to do this comfortably - we had 35 mins

J.

Had a fantastic cultural experience here, the staff were super friendly and I learnt a lot about the Maori people and the Treaty of Waitangi. Would definitely recommend to any tourists and locals.

A.

Wow this is a must see. This has been formally developed and now includes a historical Museum, a cultural show, Whaka and the ability to walk through the old governers house. All set on an beautiful property with fantastic views. You can bring your lunch and sit and watch the water. If you are a kiwi you get a good discount and kids 18 and under are free.

A.

Dont rush this visit. Take time to explore this iconic nz site. The tours and presentations are brief but great to watch. Good place to reflect on NZs struggle with cultural diversity, work in progress.

J.

Great place to visit. We took our kids there and they enjoyed walking around the grounds with us. Cafe had good food. Prices were a little dear. Definitely worth a visit and the small donation.

N.

Very well organized and informative. The treaty grounds are a key to the history of new zealand and it is well documented in Museum, the short trails and the buildings. The tour was good and I learned a lot a lot of the founding of new zealand. The museum itself is rather new and modern. good to read and to sink in.

T.

Fabulous place to visit. The cultural experience was fabulous. I felt concerned for the performers though, many of them were hoarse; I think they are possibly doing too many shows too frequently.

T.

Absolutely amazing... The waitangi museum is a must do. You could spend a half day in the museum part. A guided tour and cultural show is brilliant and very informative

B.

The treaty grounds are very nice and clean. The winding boardwalks through the forests are pretty cool. The buildings are excellently, timelessly designed. The Guided tours are very interesting and insightful.

C.

We found a deal on bookme for 30 nzd. -It is worth it, because it's the most important historical place in New Zealand. Guided tour and cultural performance were awesome. The museum is modern and very interesting.

M.

Very well kept, though too expensive to visit and see our history at a cost. We pay taxes, so why do we need to pay? Last time I went here it was a donation, now $25 per person if you can prove you are NZ ... if not $50! A rip off in my view, this is part of our heritage and we are being ripped off by someone coining it. Not fair!

A.

Made a day trip from Auckland and it was well worth it. My boys enjoyed the museums and the treaty grounds especially the beach with an old rusty anchor ⚓

G.

The Waitangi Treaty Grounds, and everything ascociated with it, is fantastic. It is steeped in history of the founding of our nation. The Treaty House, the National Marae, the War canoe, and more recently opened, the new interactive Museum, are fabulous. Take a guided tour and soak up the history. I am privileged to have Guide Dan Busby, 5th generation of NZ's First British appointed Resident as our Guide. He's fabulous, we'll informed, neutral, and very informative. Don't visit without taking in the new Interactive museum. It is well worth it. You won't be disappointed.

M.

informative, museum was well done, guided tour was ok, felt it was a bit long in parts but overall informative. we did not see the haka as after the guide spoke it was the time we had to meet our bus so a bit disappointing

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