Waitangi Day 2026 in New Zealand falls on Friday, 6 February 2026 — a public holiday in New Zealand.
Waitangi Day, February 6, commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 between the British Crown and over 500 Māori chiefs. It is New Zealand's national day.
The Treaty of Waitangi, signed on February 6, 1840 at Waitangi in the Bay of Islands, established British sovereignty over New Zealand in exchange for guarantees to Māori. Differences between the English and Māori versions have created ongoing legal and political tensions. The holiday was first observed in 1934 and made a national public holiday in 1974.
Ceremonies at the Treaty Grounds in Waitangi. Speeches from political leaders, including the Prime Minister. Waka (canoe) launches. Cultural performances. Protests by Māori advocacy groups are also common.
Traditional Māori hangi (food cooked in earth oven). Pavlova, lamingtons (also Australian).
"Kia ora" (Māori greeting).
Public holiday. Most businesses closed. Travel to Waitangi peaks the day before.
Future dates for moving holidays (Easter, Eid, Lunar New Year, Diwali, etc.) are computed and approximate; the actual public-holiday date in some countries is fixed by official decree closer to the date.
Waitangi Day 2026 in New Zealand falls on Friday, 6 February 2026, a national public holiday.
Yes. Waitangi Day is a nationwide public holiday in New Zealand.
The countdown above shows the exact days, hours and minutes remaining. The year-by-year list below has Waitangi Day's date in the surrounding years.
The next Waitangi Day is Saturday, 6 February 2027.