Waitangi Treaty Grounds road access improved
Published: 10 February, 2026
Road access to one of New Zealand’s most important cultural sites, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, was upgraded in time for Waitangi Day events.
Haruru Falls road, which provides a secondary route to the Treaty Grounds without going through Paihia, received a $1.57 million grant from the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) in September 2025 to seal the remaining 3.7km of metal road.
The completed upgrade ensures safe and resilient access for the more than 160,000 local and international visitors who head to one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most historic and culturally important sites each year.
The upgrades included drainage, paving, earthworks and fitting of guardrails. Far North District Council contributed $400,000 to the project.
Additionally, the Treaty Grounds are undergoing an infrastructure upgrade funded with a grant of up to $10.2 million from the RIF. The project involves protecting nationally significant historic buildings from water damage and upgrading other facilities.
Nationally significant sites to be upgraded — Beehive.govt.nz
To date, new toilets, a new carpark and lit pathways have been installed. The Treaty House has been repainted and protected from water with new drainage.
The upgrade is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.