Waitangi Day2026 · Date · History
The Waitangi Day Act 1976 makes February 6 in each year Waitangi Day and a public holiday; New Zealand government history documents the 1974–1975 New Zealand Day name period and the 1976 restoration of the Waitangi Day name.
About Waitangi Day
Waitangi Day is New Zealand’s national day commemorating the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, observed on February 6.
The Waitangi Day Act 1976 provides the current statutory basis: February 6 in each year is known as Waitangi Day and is observed as a public holiday throughout New Zealand.
Why Waitangi Day matters
The date commemorates the first signing of the Treaty of Waitangi at Waitangi on February 6, 1840.
The day also carries a long public history of ceremony, reflection and debate about the Treaty and relationships between Māori and the Crown.
History of Waitangi Day
The Treaty of Waitangi was first signed at Waitangi on February 6, 1840.
In 1973 Parliament enacted the New Zealand Day Act, making February 6 a nationwide public holiday under the name New Zealand Day from 1974.
New Zealand government history records that the New Zealand Day name was used for two years.
The Waitangi Day Act 1976 repealed the 1973 Act, restored the name Waitangi Day and kept February 6 as the nationwide public holiday.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
New Zealand Day
The New Zealand Day Act 1973 renamed and nationalized the February 6 holiday; the Waitangi Day Act 1976 restored the Waitangi Day name.
New Zealand Parliament
Waitangi Day Act 1976 (1976 No 33)
Established February 6 as the nationwide public holiday under the name New Zealand Day from 1974.
New Zealand Parliament · New Zealand Day Act 1973
Repealed the New Zealand Day Act 1973 and restored the name Waitangi Day while retaining February 6 as the public holiday.
New Zealand Parliament · Waitangi Day Act 1976
New Zealand Government
Government agencies publish current holiday information and official Waitangi Day programming/history.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
3 fields not established in reviewed sources
Predecessor and precursor observances
Earlier or merged observances are kept separate from former names and later institutional actions.
Later institutional actions
Later recognition, renaming, mergers or date changes are kept separate from original establishment.
How to Observe Waitangi Day
Read the Treaty text and official New Zealand history resources before discussing its historical and contemporary significance.
Follow official Waitangi Day programmes and local events for current ceremonies.
Learn about Māori perspectives on te Tiriti o Waitangi and the Crown’s historical role using established New Zealand sources.
Use the public holiday as an opportunity for informed reflection rather than reducing the day to a generic celebration.
Check current government holiday guidance for Mondayisation and workplace-observance rules where relevant.
Waitangi Day Facts
Waitangi Day falls on February 6.
The current statutory basis is the Waitangi Day Act 1976.
The Act says February 6 each year is Waitangi Day and a public holiday throughout New Zealand.
The day commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi at Waitangi on February 6, 1840.
The nationwide holiday was briefly called New Zealand Day in 1974 and 1975 before the Waitangi Day name was restored in 1976.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
- Remembrance Civic Context Care.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
New Zealand Legislation — New Zealand Day Act 1973 (opens in a new tab)
New Zealand Legislation — Waitangi Day Act 1976 (opens in a new tab)
National Legislation
NZ History — Waitangi Day in the 1970s (opens in a new tab)
National History
New Zealand Government — public holiday dates (opens in a new tab)
National Government Calendar
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is Waitangi Day?
6 February The documented recurrence rule is: 6 February.
Does Waitangi Day fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is Waitangi Day an official public holiday?
Within the reviewed scope, it is identified as New Zealand national public holiday and Treaty commemoration. That status is not automatically extended to other countries or jurisdictions.
Who established or recognizes Waitangi Day?
The reviewed sources identify New Zealand Parliament as the proclaiming or establishing body. Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as New Zealand Government.
Is Waitangi Day international or country-specific?
No single country is assigned to this observance. Its documented scope is: New Zealand national public holiday and Treaty commemoration. Use that scope rather than assuming worldwide or country-specific status.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-10-01.
When is Waitangi Day?
Waitangi Day is February 6 each year.
What does Waitangi Day commemorate?
It commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, first signed at Waitangi on February 6, 1840.
Is Waitangi Day a public holiday?
Yes. The Waitangi Day Act 1976 provides for February 6 to be observed as a public holiday throughout New Zealand.
Was it ever called New Zealand Day?
Yes. The New Zealand Day Act 1973 used that name for the nationwide holiday from 1974; the Waitangi Day Act 1976 restored the Waitangi Day name.
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