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If you are travelling through New Zealand and hearing the term "The Treaty of Waitangi," you may be wondering what it is and why it holds such significance to New Zealanders. This treaty, signed in 1840, is the foundation of the relationship between Māori and the Crown and remains a cornerstone of New Zealand's national identity. To understand its importance, we need to explore its origins, the key figures involved, and the impact it continues to have today.
The Origins of the Treaty of Waitangi
By the early 19th century, European settlers, traders, and whalers were arriving in increasing numbers. The rapid changes in trade, land ownership, and law and order created tensions that required formal agreements. Māori chiefs had already declared their independence through He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Niu Tireni (The Declaration of Independence) in 1835, asserting their sovereignty. However, concerns over lawlessness and foreign interest—particularly from the French—led Britain to send Captain William Hobson to negotiate a treaty that would establish British governance while ensuring Māori rights and protections.
Signing of the Treaty
The Treaty of Waitangi was signed on 6 February 1840 at Waitangi, in the Bay of Islands. More than 40 Māori rangatira (chiefs) signed the treaty that day, and copies were later taken across the country for further signings. By September 1840, about 540 chiefs, including influential leaders such as Hone Heke, Tamati Waka Nene, and Te Rangi Topeora, had signed. While most signed the Māori-language version, some key differences between the English and Māori texts later led to disputes over interpretation.
What the Treaty Says
The Treaty consists of three articles:
Article 1: In the English version, Māori chiefs ceded sovereignty to the British Crown. However, in the Māori version, the term "kawanatanga" (governance) was used instead of "sovereignty," leading some Māori to believe they were only granting Britain authority over settlers, not over their own lands.
Article 2: The Crown guaranteed Māori "full, exclusive and undisturbed possession" of their lands, forests, fisheries, and other treasures ("taonga"), but also gained the right to pre-emptively purchase land Māori wished to sell.
Article 3: Māori were granted the rights and privileges of British subjects.
Post-Treaty Events and Conflicts
Despite the promises of the Treaty, the following decades saw extensive land loss for Māori through dubious sales, confiscations, and government policies. Disputes over land and sovereignty led to the New Zealand Wars of the 1860s, particularly in the Waikato and Taranaki regions, where iwi such as Waikato-Tainui and Ngāti Toa Rangatira resisted British military forces.
The Kingitanga movement, led by Pōtatau Te Wherowhero, was formed to unify Māori under a single monarch to retain control over their lands. Meanwhile, leaders like Te Kooti Arikirangi Te Turuki and Tāwhiao fought against British forces in an attempt to reclaim land and autonomy.
The Treaty’s Role Today
While the Treaty was largely ignored or misinterpreted for much of the 19th and early 20th centuries, Māori continued to advocate for recognition of their rights. In 1975, the Waitangi Tribunal was established to investigate breaches of the Treaty and provide recommendations for redress. Since then, many iwi have received settlements, including apologies, financial compensation, and land returns.
The Treaty of Waitangi remains a living document, influencing laws, government policies, and Māori-Crown relations. The 6th of February is now a public holiday, celebrated as Waitangi Day, where New Zealanders reflect on their shared history and future.
How to get there
Visitors to New Zealand can explore the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in the Bay of Islands, where the Treaty was first signed. The best and easiest way to get there is by booking a Cheeky Kiwi Bay of Islands Tour & Cruise from Auckland.
Bay of Islands Small Group Tour & Cruise from Auckland - 2 Day
Join Cheeky Kiwi Travel on this enchanting 2-day Bay of Islands Tour & Cruise, unveiling the birthplace of New Zealand and immersing yourself in natural wonders, hidden gems, and rich Maori culture. This intimate, fully-guided adventure seamlessly blends the best of subtropical Northland's east and west coasts and includes a trip to Waitangi, where you will be treated to a fully guided tour and cultural performance at Aotearoa New Zealand's most important historic site.
If you are already in the Bay of Islands or self-driving, you can still visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and buy an admission ticket.
Waitangi Treaty Grounds - Bay of Islands
Admission includes a guided tour, cultural performance, museum access, historic sites, and the world's largest ceremonial war canoe.
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