"Modern New Zealand's historic birth place." Waitangi by worldkiwi

Waitangi is basically one big Historic Reserve, just north of Paihia in the Bay of Islands.
Waitangi was the place where the Treaty of Waitangi (now often called New Zealand's founding document) was signed between representatives of the British government and chiefs of Maori tribes (iwi) in Northland and some other North Island areas. The document basically made New Zealand part of the British Empire and was signed on 6 February 1840 after three days of discussion.
Unfortunately in the 1850s, a blatantly racist settler government tossed the thing out and made some big blunders which have repercussions today. However, all New Zealanders are learning that the spirit of the treaty was noble and worth trying for and so now we all respect the treaty and are trying to right some of the wrongs done back in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
You can visit the house built for the first British governmental official in New Zealand and learn more about our young nation's history. Entrance is NZ$12 (2006).