It is close to the town of Paihia, to which it is connected by a bridge near the mouth of the Waitangi River estuary.

While Statistics New Zealand and NZ Post consider the southern boundary of Waitangi to be the river and estuary, with the area further south being part of Paihia, the area by Te Tī Bay, immediately south of the river, is sometimes referred to as part of Waitangi.

[5] The Treaty of Waitangi proper began on 5 February 1840 when a public meeting was held on the grounds in front of James Busby's residence.

[6] The proceedings were ended and were to recommence on 7 February; however, a number of chiefs pressed to sign earlier.

The Treaty of Waitangi was initially signed on 6 February 1840 in a marquee erected in the grounds of James Busby's house at Waitangi by representatives of the British Crown, the chiefs of the Confederation of the United Tribes of New Zealand, and other Māori tribal leaders, and subsequently by other Māori chiefs at other places in New Zealand.

In 2007, researcher Brent Kerehona claimed[citation needed] that uncertainty has arisen over whether Ngapuhi chief Moka Te Kainga-mataa actually signed; despite his name appearing on this document.

Kerehona elaborates by inferring that it is clear by the accounts of Colenso (1890)[6] that not only did Moka clearly express his concerns about the Treaty's effects whilst at the meeting on February 5, but that the discussion that he had with the Reverend Charles Baker, combined with Moka's final comment, should be taken into account.

[12][9] In early November 2024, the Sixth National Government allocated NZ$10.2 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund for building upgrades and repairs at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

[14] In 1990, artist Selwyn Muru requisitioned copper from the historic wharf piles, and incorporated these into Waharoa, a sculpture located in Aotea Square, Auckland.