On February 5th, 1840, over three hundred different M&amacr;ori and European representatives met on the lawn of James Busby's home to discuss the treaty of Waitangi and the sovereignty of the nation of New Zealand. Signed the next day by those in attendance, the treaty is considered the founding document of the country of New Zealand with February 6th celebrated as a national holiday. The site today preserves James Busby's residence, renamed as the 'Treaty House', along with a M&amacr;ori meeting house that was built alongside it to celebrate the conception of independence. 