Waitangi Day in Christchurch and Canterbury
Find out about Waitangi Day activities in Ōtautahi Christchurch and Canterbury.
Library hours
All libraries will be closed on Waitangi Day Friday 6 February 2026.
About Waitangi Day
- Waitangi Day from our Treaty backgrounder
- Waitangi Day from our Treaty Zone resource for kids
What's on 2026
Waitangi Day 2026: Family fun day from 10am, Okains Bay Māori and Colonial Museum
Join us for the 50th anniversary of Okains Bay Waitangi Day commemorations. A fun-filled day of family activities, music, demonstrations, workshops and exhibits. This is a special FREE event supported by Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage!
Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu
Visit on Waitangi Day and browse the exhibitions including:
- Whāia te Taniwha Māori artists consider the enduring relevance of taniwha in Aotearoa
- Kā Whakatauraki: The Promises A landmark exhibition bringing together the ten Ngāi Tahu land sale purchase deeds
- Kāi Tahu and Anne Noble: Unutai e! Unutai e! Unutai e! Unutai e! harnesses the power of contemporary art to shed light on an urgent environmental crisis: the deteriorating state of fresh water across the Ngāi Tahu takiwā.
You can drop-in and explore their selection of Te Tiriti o Waitangi related reading material.
Kaiapoi Waitangi Day Family celebration - 11am to 3pm, Troussellot Park
Join us on Friday 6 February 2026 at Trousselot Park, Kaiapoi from 11am–3pm for a day of community, culture, and connection. Bring the whānau and be part of the celebrations!Kapa haka
Kai Tāhu Waitangi Day commemoration
Each year the Ngāi Tahu Waitangi Day commemorations rotate between the three locations where Ngāi Tahu signed the Treaty: Te Rau Aroha Marae, at Awarua (Bluff); Ōtākou Marae, near Dunedin, and Ōnuku Marae on Banks Peninsula. The 2026 celebrations were to be at Ōtākou Marae, but this year will be a little different. Ōtākou will lead a Kāi Tahu ope to Waitangi, which means the usual Kāi Tahu commemoration in the takiwā will not take place.
Our intention is to go to Waitangi in the spirit of kotahitaka. Strengthening our ties with iwi in the north is an important part of honouring this moment. Given the current political climate, we believe it is vital that iwi stand together to ensure our collective voice remains strong. Ōtākou has always carried the flame of political leadership, protest, whawhai, and wero, and this commitment continues to guide our decisions. We look forward to being part of the wider kaupapa at Waitangi and standing with iwi from across the motu in unity and shared purpose.
Waitangi Day coverage
Māori TV
Waitangi 2026 Kei ō Ringa. The national broadcast of the official Waitangi Day 2026 commemorations, celebrates and challenges the state of the nation and role of Te Tiriti in an Election Year. Available worldwide. Stream from Friday 6th February, 4.55am.
Treaty of Waitangi
Treaty of Waitangi for kids
Te Tiriti o Waitangi - The BWB Treaty of Waitangi Collection
Te Tiriti o Waitangi - The Treaty of Waitangi
Te Tiriti for Beginners with Roimata Smail
Te Tiriti 101: WORD Christchurch Festival 2025
The Treaty of Waitangi Collection - Bridget Williams Books
Te Tiriti o Waitangi - The BWB Treaty of Waitangi Collection
Te Tiriti for Beginners with Roimata Smail
Te Tiriti 101: WORD Christchurch Festival 2025
The Treaty of Waitangi Collection - Bridget Williams Books
Te Tiriti o Waitangi - The BWB Treaty of Waitangi Collection
Treaty of Waitangi
Waitangi Day images
View Waitangi Day images from our collection: