VIDEO - On the right road for Waitangi celebrations

Free parking and shuttle buses are among the options to help keep Waitangi week running smoothly for residents and visitors.

With around 100,000 people expected to visit the area for the Far North’s biggest event of the year, organisers are urging everyone heading to events to use free parking options and to follow parking rules.

Free visitor parking will be available at sites at Haruru’s Bledisloe Domain and Haruru Falls beside ITM, with an overflow carpark at the old Haruru airfield. A free shuttle bus service will be provided for all those using the free carparks from 3 - 6 February.

Shuttles will run continuously between Bledisloe Domain and the Hobson Memorial Gate for events at Waitangi Treaty Grounds. For events at Te Tiriti O Waitangi Marae, shuttles will run from Haruru beside ITM. The shuttle service will begin one hour before events begin, with the last shuttle leaving at 6pm daily.

Visitors should access event parking by taking State Highway 11 from Puketona roundabout (SH10 between Pākaraka and Kerikeri). This route takes motorists directly to carparks and shuttle buses at Haruru.

Some roads around Waitangi Treaty Grounds will be closed except for residents, exhibitors and emergency services and anyone parking in unauthorised spaces will have their vehicles towed.

Accommodation is often fully booked for Waitangi week and campers are urged to consider options within driving distance of Waitangi and Paihia. For health and safety reasons, freedom camping along the Waitangi foreshore and on council reserves will not be permitted during the week.

On Tuesday 6 February, Northland Ferries will operate a charter service from Russell, direct to Waitangi at 4am. Members of the public are welcome to use this service. A Waitangi pier stop on the regular ferry services will operate from Russell. Ferries depart Russell every 20 minutes, and Waitangi (to Paihia) every 20 minutes from 8am-5pm.

You can view the 2025 full programme of events here.