On a mission to celebrate historic signing

Hundreds of visitors are expected to descend on Māngungu Mission near Hōreke tomorrow to mark the historic signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

On 12 February 1840, a crowd of around 3000, representing many different hapū within Ngāpuhi, gathered at the South Hokianga site to discuss New Zealand’s founding document and witness its signing by 64 rangatira. It was the third and largest signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Those wanting to attend Thursday’s celebrations can view our map that explains how to get to the mission, which roads are closed and where parking is available. Shuttle buses will be running all day from nearby Hōreke School to the mission site.

The event is organised by Ngā Uri Whakatupu o Hokianga, with support from Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga and Far North District Council. Māngungu Mission House will be open to the public, with free entry, from 9am to 4pm on Thursday.

This year, on display in the newly opened study room, is an exhibition of photographs taken at the 2025 event by Claire Gordon (Flash Gordon Photography) – part of a larger body of work that will evolve over the next three years.

For more information about the Māngungu Mission and its historical significance, head to the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga website.

Watch our video about Māngungu here.