when is waitangi day

Waitangi Day is held every year on 6 February, and in 2026 it falls on a Friday.

What is Waitangi Day?

• It is New Zealand’s national day, marking the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) in 1840.

• The day commemorates the agreement between many Māori rangatira (chiefs) and representatives of the British Crown, often described as the country’s founding document.

When is Waitangi Day each year?

• Waitangi Day is always on 6 February, regardless of the day of the week.

• In 2026, 6 February is a Friday, and it is observed as a public holiday across New Zealand.

Public holiday details

• Waitangi Day is a national public holiday; if it falls on a weekend, the observance is “Mondayised” so people get a weekday off as well.

• Typical observances include official ceremonies at Waitangi in the Bay of Islands, as well as community events, concerts, and family activities around the country.

TL;DR: Waitangi Day is New Zealand’s national day, commemorating the 1840 signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, and it is observed every year on 6 February.