The Treaty House, 1930s

The Treaty House, 1930s

In 1932 the house and grounds of James Busby, British Resident from 1833 to 1840, were gifted to the nation by the governor general, Lord Bledisloe, and his wife. Because it was the site of the first signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, the house has become known as the Treaty House. A trust board was set up, the house was restored, and it became an historic site and the focus of treaty celebrations. This photograph shows a group of people, including Lord and Lady Bledisloe, outside the house around the time of its presentation to the people of New Zealand.