Upgraded Road Opens Ahead of Waitangi Day, Improving Access to Treaty Grounds

The project was supported by a $1.57 million grant from the Regional Infrastructure Fund, which enabled the sealing of the remaining 3.7 kilometres of previously unsealed road.

Access to one of New Zealand’s most significant cultural and historic sites has been strengthened, with a major road upgrade to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds completed just in time for Waitangi Day.

Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says the sealing of Haruru Falls Road will improve safety and reliability for thousands of visitors attending events and visiting the Treaty Grounds throughout the year.

“Haruru Falls Road has long been a dusty, uneven and sometimes treacherous route,” Mr Jones said. “This upgrade ensures safe, resilient access to a site that sits at the heart of our national story.”

$1.57 Million Investment Delivers Sealed Access

The project was supported by a $1.57 million grant from the Regional Infrastructure Fund, which enabled the sealing of the remaining 3.7 kilometres of previously unsealed road. The route provides a key secondary access to the Treaty Grounds, bypassing Paihia and easing congestion during major events.

Far North District Council contributed an additional $400,000 to the project.

The upgrade included:

• Road sealing and paving

• Drainage improvements

• Earthworks

• Installation of guardrails

Supporting a Site of National Importance

The Waitangi Treaty Grounds welcome more than 160,000 visitors each year, including local communities, domestic travellers and international tourists. The grounds are also home to Te Rau Aroha – the 28th Māori Battalion Museum, making reliable access critical for education, commemoration and tourism.

“These places carry immense cultural and historical weight,” Mr Jones said. “They now have infrastructure that better reflects their stature and importance to New Zealanders.”

Official Opening With Iwi and Community Leaders

Mr Jones officially opened the upgraded road today alongside iwi leaders, trustees of the Waitangi National Trust, Far North Mayor Moko Tepania and other local dignitaries.

The sealing work was completed only days before Waitangi Day celebrations, ensuring improved access during one of the busiest and most symbolically important times of the year.

Wider Treaty Grounds Upgrades Underway

The road project complements a broader Treaty Grounds infrastructure upgrade, supported by a grant of up to $10.2 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund.

Work already completed includes:

• New public toilets

• A new carpark

• Lit pedestrian pathways

• Repainting of the Treaty House

• New drainage to protect historic buildings from water damage

The wider upgrade programme is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

“The Waitangi Treaty Grounds are a place for all New Zealanders,” Mr Jones said. “These investments help protect our history, improve the visitor experience and ensure this nationally significant site is fit for future generations.”