Honouring Waitangi Day with Pounamu Taonga

The Spirit of the Day: Reflection and Togetherness

Waitangi Day, Te Rā o Waitangi, observed on February 6th, is more than a public holiday for New Zealanders; it is our national day, a time for reflection, connection, and looking forward together.

This day marks the anniversary of the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, a foundational document intended to establish a partnership between tangata whenua and the Crown. It's a day where communities across the motu (country) gather- at dawn services, events, and family barbecues - to honour this history and celebrate who we are as a nation.

At Moko Pounamu, we see the values embodied in this day reflected in the very essence of pounamu: connection to the whenua (land), enduring bonds, and the passing of stories and treasures through time.

The most significant commemorations occur at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in the Bay of Islands, where the day begins with a moving, reflective dawn service.

The grounds then transform into a festive atmosphere alive with kapa haka (cultural performance), waka (canoe) displays on the water, and over 150 stalls offering crafts and kai (food).

You don't need to be in Northland to share in this spirit. Communities all around Aotearoa organise whānau-friendly festivals and other ways to connect. These events are beautiful opportunities for shared experience, learning, and simply enjoying our unique culture together.

Pounamu: A Personal Connection to Our Story

In the same way Waitangi Day invites us to reflect on our shared journey, a piece of pounamu can serve as a personal touchstone to heritage, place, and promise.

Pounamu is not just a stone; it is a taonga (treasure) born of Aotearoa's land and waters, carrying generations of history in its depths.

Gifting or wearing pounamu is a way to carry a piece of our whenua with you, to acknowledge deep bonds, and to honour important relationships - much like the partnership envisioned by Te Tiriti.

Whether it’s a Toki (adze), symbolising strength and a life of purposeful work; a Koru, representing new beginnings and peaceful growth; or a Twist (Pikorua), denoting the eternal intertwining of lives and pathways, each piece tells a part of our story.

Celebrate with a Taonga: Our Waitangi Day Offer

To honour this special time in our nation's calendar, we invite you to find a taonga that speaks to your own story or to gift a piece of Aotearoa to someone important.

For a limited time, from January 30th until February 9th, 2026, you can receive 20% off at Moko Pounamu.

Simply use the discount code WAITANGI26 on the checkout page to apply your saving.*

This is an opportunity to acquire a genuine, handcrafted piece of New Zealand pounamu, sourced and carved with the deepest respect for its cultural significance. It’s more than a purchase; it’s an heirloom in the making, a connection to be passed down through your own whakapapa (genealogy).

However you choose to mark the day - at a bustling festival, a quiet family gathering, or by finding a taonga that resonates, we wish you a meaningful and reflective Waitangi Day celebration.

*Please note:  The discount code WAITANGI26  applies a 20% reduction to full-priced items, excluding Licensed Collections, Gold, Sculptures, Corporate Gifting and Whalebone. This offer cannot be applied to items already on sale or marked as clearance. Valid at www.mokopounamu.co.nz  and instore from 30 January to 9 February 2026 inclusive.*