The Treaty of Waitangi- the short version

Why did Maori sign the Treaty?They wanted help to stop

British people who were

living in NZ causing trouble

(lawlessness)

It would preserve the

trade between themselves and

the British

The Missionaries recommended it, for

Maori’s own good

Britain was a major world

power, so having their protection be good for

Maori

Maori wanted to stop bad land deals.

Some had been cheated out of land

by greedy British traders

The Treaty would bring

permanent peace to

the country

The British would protect

them from France or other

countries

Chiefs would still have

control over their tribes

Why did the British want a Treaty?

By 1840 there were about 2000 Europeans/Pakeha living in New Zealand. Most of them were British

There were no law courts or police to stop them committing crimes

Even more British people were considering moving to New Zealand. They were asking for help to buy land

Reason 1: British numbers in NZ increased

Reason 2: The missionaries asked for British helpThe missionaries asked the British government to be more involved in New Zealand as they believed Maori would be better protected from lawless Pakeha and illegal land sales

Because New Zealand was an independent country, the British could not just walk in and make demands

Maori chiefs controlled their tribal areas, so the British needed to make a treaty with them first

Reason 3: The mana of chiefs

So what happened next?Captain William

Hobson was sent to NZ to make an agreement

on behalf of Queen Victoria

Hobson, his secretary James

Freeman & British Resident

in NZ James Busby drafted a

treaty

Missionary Henry

Williams translated the

treaty into Maori (he was not an

expert)On 5th

February 1840 in front of the chiefs, Hobson reads the treaty in

English

A discussion of more than five hours occurred.

Chiefs were divided in their opinions

The meeting is adjourned for two

days. Further discussion would take

place then

Day 2 of the Treaty 6 February 1840

Chiefs wanted to restart

discussions as the food was running

out. Some had even decided to

go home

At midday Hobson declares that there will be

no more discussion. He will

only take signatures to the

treaty

The treaty is read again by

Williams, in Maori

Missionary printer William

Colenso asks if the chiefs

actually understand

what the treaty says.

Hobson ignores him

Altogether 45 Maori leaders sign the

treaty. Most do so with a mark. Gifts are given to each chief who signs – two blankets and

tobacco

THE TREATY IS SIGNED

The Treaty on the Road• Many copies of the treaty are made and taken around New Zealand for signing

• Altogether almost 500 signatures are added

• Some very important tribes refuse to sign e.g. Waikato Tainui

• Some areas do not get the chance to sign e.g. much of the South Island

• By the end of June, Hobson declares that NZ is now part of the British Empire

• By the end of October, this is made official

What were the main problems?• Henry Williams who translated the treaty from English to Maori, was not an expert in the Maori language

• The Maori version is not an accurate translation of the English version

• Most Maori signed the Maori version, meaning that should be the one accepted

• Not all important chiefs signed the treaty – some simply refused to sign

• Some chiefs were never even asked to sign

• The treaty was taken around the country for chiefs to sign, but chiefs were sometimes persuaded by the advice given by missionaries who brought the treaty to them

What were the translation problems?

Article 1:The English version gives the Queen of England SOVEREIGNTY over New Zealand

The Maori version uses the word KAWANATANGA for sovereignty. This means GOVERNORSHIP. The word used should have been MANA or RANGATIRATANGA

Maori believed the treaty would help them to keep their mana or control. The Queen would only govern New Zealand not control

The British believed that they had achieved possession and control

What was the problem with Article 2?

In the English version, Maori were guaranteed full possession of their lands, forests, fisheries and other properties

In the Maori version, the word TAONGA was used. This means all treasures which includes all things precious such as culture and language

Also, the British wanted Maori to sell their land only to the British crown. Maori believed that the British had only secured the first right of refusal on land Maori wished to sell. Maori did not have to sell to the crown, they could sell it to others after first offering it to the crown

And what about Article 3?Both versions gave Maori the same rights and privileges of British citizens

However, Pakeha did not have to sell their land to the crown, but Maori did – therefore they were not being treated differently

Quotes by some at the Treaty signing

‘He iwi kotahi tatou. We are now one people’ (Hobson)

‘Only the shadow of the land passes to the Queen. The substance stays with us, the Maori people’

(Chief Nopera Panakareao)

‘You yourselves have often asked the King of England to extend his protection unto you. Her Majesty now offers you that protection in this Treaty’ (Hobson)

‘You must preserve our customs and never permit our land to be taken from us’ (Tamati Waka Nene of Ngapuhi)