Royal New Zealand Navy looks forward to playing its part at Waitangi Day celebrations

The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) is again looking forward to playing a full and active ceremonial role at the Waitangi Day celebrations in the Bay of Islands this year.

03 February, 2026

Every year on 6 February, New Zealanders and visitors alike gather at Waitangi to celebrate the signing of New Zealand’s most historic documents - Te Tiriti o Waitangi and The Treaty of Waitangi.

The RNZN is invited annually by the people of Te Tai Tokerau to attend Waitangi Day and perform a range of ceremonial duties.

Representing the RNZN will be Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral Garin Golding, along with a large contingent of Navy personnel.

“The invitation by Te Tai Tokerau and the Waitangi National Trust has always been a great honour for our Navy and an absolute privilege to be part of,” said Rear Admiral Golding.

“This day is a taonga for our nation and one of the most important ceremonial occasions for the Navy so we’re grateful we can share it with the people of this region, other New Zealanders and visitors to our shores.”

Rear Admiral Golding will be joined by Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro, Chief of Army, Major General Rose King, and Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Darryn Webb.

This year, the Anzac-class frigate HMNZS Te Kaha will be anchored off Waitangi and will fire a 21-gun salute to observe the 186th Anniversary of the signing of the two documents.

Other RNZN involvement in the celebrations includes the Navy band performing at the Village Green in Paihia on Wednesday, a 100-person Royal Guard of Honour parading at the Beat Retreat and the Ceremonial Sunset Ceremony at the Treaty Grounds flagpole on Thursday evening.

On Friday, a 100-person Guard of Honour will parade for the 21-gun salute at midday.

The RNZN Māori Cultural Group and RNZN Band will also give a series of performances on the Treaty Grounds.

RNZN Waitangi Day programme in the Bay of Islands

Wednesday, 4 February

2–3pm

Navy Band Concert at the Village Green in Paihia

Thursday, 5 February

4.45–5.45pm

100-person Royal Guard of Honour conducting Beat Retreat and Ceremonial Sunset Ceremony on the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, with Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro as Reviewing Officer.

Friday, 6 February

5am	Dawn Service at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds
6.30am	NZ National Flag Raising Ceremony
9am	Church Service, Chief of Navy and Principal Navy Chaplain
11.30 – 11.50am	RNZN Māori Cultural Group perform on the Treaty Grounds
12pm	100-person Guard of Honour forms at the Flag Pole for the 21-Gun Salute fired from HMNZS Te Kaha
12.15pm – 12.55pm	RNZN Band concert alongside the Treaty Grounds Flagpole

History of the Navy at Waitangi

From the outset, Waitangi commemorations have included naval involvement, from the day the Treaty was first signed on 6 February 1840 with Captain William Hobson, Royal Navy, as consul for the British Crown and by Māori chiefs, through to today.

Aside from the years interrupted by war, pandemic and weather, the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy, and from 1941, the Royal New Zealand Navy have paraded at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

In 1990 the RNZN was presented with a Charter recognising the strength of the relationship between the RNZN and the community in the region. The charter allows the RNZN to parade on Te Tai Tokerau land and on the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.