On Feb 7, 2024, we anchored at Waitangi Wharf, New Zealand and tendered into the town. Waitangi is a historic site in New Zealand, famous for the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi on Feb 6, 1840. The Treaty of Waitangi is considered New Zealand’s founding document. It established the relationship between the Maori people and Great Britain, with provisions for the protection of Maori rights and the ceding of sovereignty to the British Crown. The Treaty was prepared as two separate documents – one in the Maori language and a second in English. The interpretation of the Treaty’s clauses have been the subject of ongoing debate and legal processes in New Zealand ever since its signing. Waitangi Day, celebrated annually on Feb 6 marks the Treaty’s signing and is a national holiday.

The Bay of Islands, where Waitangi is situated, is located at the north end of the North Island and is known for its scenic beauty and water-based activities. We decided that the best way to see the 144 islands in the Bay of Islands was by helicopter. The views from the helicopter were spectacular and we saw many of the islands, which range from rocky outcrops to inhabited islands with private farms.