Waitangi – The Treaty House By Trish Gray

Description

The story includes the beginnings of The Treaty House, its chequered history, and rescue. The Treaty House is the focal point of the Waitangi Reserve and built in 1834 for British Resident James Busby. The Busby family created the beginnings of a home that was to become very significant in New Zealand‘s history.

The grounds were developed by James Busby and that during his era the gardens were at their height of glory, ‘…a more delightful and romantic spot would be difficult to find in the bay…’  Many bushes and trees, planted by James, his wife Agnes and visiting dignitaries of the day are still a feature in the Reserve.

It was at the instigation of Ngapuhi to erect a Maori Meeting House, Te Whare Runanga, beside the pakeha meeting house, The Treaty House, to mark the relationship between the two peoples and the signing of The Treaty. He iwi tahi tatou (we are now one people) endorsing what Hobson said when each tribal chief signed The Treaty.