Media release
3 February 2015
See the original Treaty of Waitangi at Archives New Zealand
this Waitangi Day
Archives New Zealand will be open on Waitangi Day 6 February from 10.00am until 4.00pm giving
visitors the opportunity to view Te Tiriti o Waitangi 175 years to the day since its signing.
“Events commemorating the signing of the Treaty in 1840 will take place throughout the country as
part of the ongoing Waitangi 175 commemorations with the open day at Archives New Zealand
included,” says Chief Archivist Marilyn Little.
“Viewing the original nine sheets of the Treaty on what is a landmark anniversary of our national day
adds to the special nature of the occasion.
“As the official guardian of New Zealand’s public record, Archives New Zealand collects, stores and
protects a range of material.
“Visitors are often surprised to see the Treaty in a climate-controlled environment and when they
see the lengths taken to protect it, they have a real sense of reverence for Te Tiriti and the
significance we place on our founding document,” Marilyn Little said.
The Treaty can be viewed between 10am and 4pm on Waitangi Day at 10 Mulgrave Street,
Wellington – just a short distance from the Railway Station. Entry to Archives New Zealand is free and
archivists will be giving talks about the origins and the history of the Treaty throughout the day.
The ‘Waitangi 175’ programme which sees initiatives up and running across the country is a joint
initiative between the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, Te Puni Kokiri, Ministry of Education,
Department of Conservation, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, New Zealand Defence
Force and the Department of Internal Affairs.
Waitangi 175 provides an opportunity for New Zealanders to look forward over the next 25 years and
have a national conversation about the Treaty and where they see Aotearoa/New Zealand as a
nation 200 years after signing.
The Waitangi 175 logo depicts the kotuku in flight in a mid-morning sky representing the progress of
the past 25 years while looking forward to the bicentenary in 2040. The logo will be used by
participating agencies to promote activities throughout the year.
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For further information on Te Tiriti see Archives New Zealand website and the Ministry for Culture
and Heritage for Waitangi 175.
Ends
Media contact:
Michael Smith
Department of Internal Affairs
027 807 6741
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