Located just north of Paihia, the Waitangi National Reserve is a stunningly maintained historic reserve containing a whare runanga (Maori meeting house), Treaty House, waka taua (war canoe) and beautiful grounds. Waitangi is most famous as being the place where the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand's founding document, was signed in 1840. The treaty was an agreement whereby Maori accepted the British Queen's governorship, in return for certain guarantees and rights. The Treaty still plays a crucial role in New Zealand's government and society.