DOCSLIB.ORG

Te Tiriti O Waitangi the Treaty of Waitangi

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Te Tiriti O Waitangi the Treaty of Waitangi TE TIRITI O WAITANGI THE TREATY OF WAITANGI Modern English translation of Footnotes of the Maori text by English Text Prof. Hugh Kawharu Maori version (used with permission) Preamble Preamble HER MAJESTY VICTOR IA Victoria, the Queen of England, in (1) "Chieftainship": this concept Queen of the United Kingdom of her concern to protect the chiefs has to be understood in the Great Britain and Ireland and the subtribes of New Zealand context of Maori social and regarding with Her Royal favour and in her desire to preserve their political organization as at the Native Chiefs and Tribes of chieftainship (1) and their lands to 1840. The accepted New Zealand and anxious to them and to maintain peace (2) approximation today is protect their just Rights and and good order considers it just to "trusteeship". Property and to secure to them appoint an administrator (3) one (2) "Peace": Maori "Rongo", the enjoyment of Peace and Good who will negotiate with the people seemingly a missionary Order has deemed it necessary in of New Zealand to the end that usage (rongo - to hear i.e. consequence of the great number their chiefs will agree to the hear the "Word" - the of Her Majesty's Subjects who Queen's Government being "message" of peace and have already settled in New established over all parts of this goodwill, etc). Zealand and the rapid extension land and (adjoining) islands (4) (3) Literally "Chief" ("Rangatira") of Emigration both from Europe and also because there are many here is of course ambiguous. and Australia which is still in of her subjects alrea dy living on Clearly a European could not progress to constitute and appoint this land and others yet to come. be a Maori, but the word a functionary properly authorised So the Queen desires to establish could well have implied a to treat with the Aborigines of a government so that no evil will trustee-like role rather than New Zealand for the recognition come to Maori and European that of a mere "functionary". of Her Majesty's Sovereign living in a state of lawlessness. Maori speeches at Waitangi authority over the whole or any So the Queen has appointed "me, in 1840 refer to Hobson being part of those islands - Her Majesty William Hobson a Captain" in the or becoming a "father" for the therefore being desirous to Royal Navy to be Governor for all Maori people. Certainly this establish a settled form of Civil parts of New Zealand (both those) attitude has been held Government with a view to avert shortly to be received by the towards the person of the the evil consequences which must Queen and (those) to be received Crown down to the present result from the absence of the hereafter and presents (5) to the day - hence the continued necessary Laws and Institutions chiefs of the Confederation chiefs expectations and alike to the native population and of the subtribes of New Zealand commitments entailed in the to Her subjects has been and other chiefs these laws set Treaty. graciously pleased to empower out here. (4) "Islands" i.e. coastal, not of and to authorise me William the Pacific. Hobson a Captain in Her (5) Literally "making" i.e. Majesty's Royal Navy Consul and "offering" or "saying" - but not Lieutenant Governor of such parts "inviting to concur". of New Zealand as may be or hereafter shall be ceded to her Majesty to invite the confederated and independent Chiefs of New Zealand to concur in the following Articles and Conditions. Page 1 of 4 TE TIRITI O WAITANGI THE TREATY OF WAITANGI Modern English translation of Footnotes of the Maori text by English Text Prof. Hugh Kawharu Maori ver sion (used with permission) Article the First The First The Chiefs of the Confederation The Chiefs of the Confederation (6) "Government": of the United Tribes of New and all the Chiefs who have not "kawanatanga". There could Zealand and the separate and joined that Confederation give be no possibility of the Maori independent Chiefs who have not absolutely to the Queen of signatories having any become members of the England for ever the complete understanding of government Confederation cede to Her government (6) o ver their land. in the sense of "sovereignty" Majesty the Queen of England i.e. any understanding on the absolutely and without reservation basis of experience or cultural all the rights and powers of precedent. Sovereignty which the said Confederation or Individual Chiefs respectively exercise or possess, or may be supposed to exercise or to possess over their respective Territories as the sole Sovereigns thereof. Article the Second The Second Her Majesty the Queen of The Queen of England agrees to (7) "Unqualified exercise" of the England confirms and guarantees protect the chiefs, the subtribes chieftainship - would to the Chiefs and Tribes of New and all the people of New Zealand emphas ise to a chief the Zealand and to the respective in the unqualified exercise (7) of Queen's intention to give families and individuals thereof their chieftainship over their lands, them complete control the full exclusive and undisturbed villages and all their treasures (8). according to their customs. possession of their Lands and But on the other hand the Chiefs "Tino" has the connotation of Estates Forests Fisheries and of the Confederation and all the "quintessential". other properties which they may Chiefs will sell (9) land to the (8) "Treasures": "taonga". As collectively or individually possess Queen at a price agreed to by the submissions to the Waitangi so long as it is their wish and person owning it and by the Tribunal concerning the Maori desire to retain the same in their person buying it (the latter being) language have made clear, possession; but the Chiefs of the appointed by the Queen as her "taonga" refers to all United Tribes and the individual purchase agent. dimensions of a tribal group's Chiefs yield to Her Majesty the estate, material and non - exclusive right of Preemption over material heirlooms and wahi such lands as the proprietors tapu (sacred places), thereof may be disposed to ancestral lore and whakapapa alienate at such prices as may be (genealogies), etc. agreed upon between the (9) Maori "hokonga", literally respective Proprietors and "sale and purchase". Hoko persons appointed by Her Majesty means to buy or sell. to treat with them in that behalf. Page 2 of 4 TE TIRITI O WAITANGI THE TREATY OF WAITANGI Modern English translation of Footnotes of the Maori text by English Text Prof. Hugh Kawharu Maori version (used with permission) Article the Third The Thrid In consideration thereof Her For this agreed arra ngement (10) "Rights and duties": Maori " at Majesty the Queen of England therefore concerning the Waitangi in 1840 refer to extends to the Natives of New Government of the Queen, the Hobson being or becoming a Zealand Her royal protection and Queen of England will protect all "father" for the Maori people. imparts to them all the Rights and the ordinary people of New Certainly this attitude has Privileges of British Subjects. Zealand and will give them the been held towards the person same rights and duties (10) of of the Crown down to the citizenship as the people of present day - hence the England (11). continued expectations and commitments entailed in the Treaty. (11) There is, however, a more profound problem about "tikanga". There is a real sense here of the Queen "protecting" (i.e. allowing the preservation of) the Maori people's tikanga (i.e. customs) since no Maori could have had any understanding whatever of British tikanga (i.e. rights and duties of British subjects.) This, then, reinforces the guarantees in Article 2. Page 3 of 4 TE TIRITI O WAITANGI THE TREATY OF WAITANGI Modern English translation of Footnotes of the Maori text by English Text Prof. Hugh Kawharu Maori version (used with permission) (signed) William Hobson (signed) William Hobson, Lieutenant Governor. Consul and Lieutenant Governor. Now therefore We the Chiefs of So we, the Chiefs of the the C onfederation of the United Confederation of the subtribes of Tribes of New Zealand being New Zealand meeting here at assembled in Congress at Victoria Waitangi having seen the shape in Waitangi and We the Separate of these words which we accept and Independent Chiefs of New and agree to record our names Zealand claiming authority over and our marks thus. Was done at the Tribes and Territories which Waitangi on the sixth of February are specified after our respective in the year of our Lord 1840. names, having been made fully to understand the Provisions of the (Here follows signatures, dates, foregoing Treaty, accept and enter etc.) into the same in the full spirit and meaning thereof: in witness of which we have attached our signatures or marks at the places and the dates respectively specified. Done at Waitangi this Sixth day of February in the year of Our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty. (Here follow signatures, dates, etc.) Page 4 of 4 .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Historical Overview of the Treaty of Waitangi
    Historical Overview of the Treaty of Waitangi Early Connections consent to any changes to this state of affairs. The Treaty journey goes back many centuries to What the Treaty Says the time when Polynesians, migrating Lord Normanby (British Secretary of State for throughout the Pacific, identified Aotearoa as a the Colonies) said, in the instructions he gave to desirable place to settle. Over the centuries, the Captain Hobson in August 1839, that he was to early arrivals spread out and new groups came establish government amongst Europeans in to join them. order to avert ‘the same process of war and Many centuries later, Europeans eventually spoliation’ that had occurred elsewhere when extended their explorations in this direction as Europeans arrived (Buick, 1976, pp 71-72). well, with Abel Tasman naming the place Nieuw Unfortunately, the process for discussing and Zeeland on his map in 1642. By the early 1800s, agreeing to the Treaty was problematic, which people of many nationalities were living led to fundamental misunderstandings between alongside the hapū — although in 1840 Māori the English Crown and hapū signatories, still vastly outnumbered them. especially in relation to who held sovereignty: Generally, these early relationships were mutually the hapū believed they had retained it while the beneficial: European Crown believed that it had been ceded to them. traders were keen to have By definition, what distinguishes These different perspectives are reflected in the new markets; a ‘treaty’ from other types of two main documents that are referred to as ‘the missionaries were pleased agreements is that it must be Treaty’: the Māori Text and the English Version.
    [Show full text]
  • DEPA Treaty of Waitangi New Zealand August 2019
    DEPA IN CONFIDENCE Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA) Non-Paper from New Zealand: The Treaty of Waitangi August 2019 Text for DEPA: Treaty of Waitangi 1. Provided that such measures are not used as a means of arbitrary or unjustified discrimination against persons of the other Parties or as a disguised restriction on trade in goods, trade in services and investment, nothing in this Agreement shall preclude the adoption by New Zealand of measures it deems necessary to accord more favourable treatment to Maori in respect of matters covered by this Agreement, including in fulfilment of its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi. 2. The Parties agree that the interpretation of the Treaty of Waitangi, including as to the nature of the rights and obligations arising under it, shall not be subject to the dispute settlement provisions of this Agreement. [Cross reference TBC] shall otherwise apply to this Article. A panel established under [Cross reference TBC] may be requested to determine only whether any measure referred to in paragraph 1 is inconsistent with a Party’s rights under this Agreement. Note that the text used for DEPA is the same as text in the P4, CPTPP and Singapore- New Zealand FTA but would be updated if no dispute settlement provisions. Summary The Treaty of Waitangi (the Treaty) is a founding document of New Zealand of the greatest constitutional importance. The Treaty provides a framework for the ongoing relationship of partnership between the Crown (represented by the Government of New Zealand) and Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand. As part of the principle of partnership between the two signatories of the Treaty, it is important that recognition be given to the special place of the Treaty in New Zealand.
    [Show full text]
  • Te Tiriti, Te Wai and Changing Pākehā
    NOBODY OWNS WATER: TE TIRITI, TE WAI AND CHANGING PĀKEHĀ by James Graham A thesis submitted to the Victoria University of Wellington in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Environmental Studies Victoria University of Wellington 2015 Within the harbour, a white obelisk commemorating the ferocious battle between the Europeans and the Filipinos offers two sharply varying accounts of those events. One face presents the European point of view: ‘Here on 27th April 1521 the great Portuguese navigator Hernanado de Magallances in the service of the King of Spain was slain by native Filipinos.’ Another face portrays the conflict from the Filipino perspective: ‘Here on this spot the great chieftain Lapu repelled an attack by Ferdinand Magellan, killing him and sending his forces away.’ (Bergreen, 2003, p. 283) i Abstract Colonisation has been described as being at least in part about securing and controlling natural resources and the history of relationships between indigenous people and subsequent settlers as largely representing a battle for control over those resources (Kahn, 1999). A current example is the contest between Māori and the Crown over access to and control over fresh water resources in Aotearoa/New Zealand, part of a wider assertion of Māori rights under the Treaty of Waitangi (Ruru, 2012; Mikaere, 1997; Wikaira 2010). The Ministry for the Environment reports that Māori assertions of water ownership should be addressed before any changes to water management can occur (Ministry for the Environment, 2005). Pākehā responses to Māori interests in water are critical to future outcomes for both Pākehā and Māori.
    [Show full text]
  • The Story of the Treaty Part 1 (Pdf
    THE STORY OF THE TREATY Introduction This is the story of our founding document, the Treaty agreement contained within it. At the outset it of Waitangi. It tells of the events leading up to the should be noted that, while the steps leading to the Treaty at a time when Mäori, far outnumbering Treaty are well known and have been thoroughly Päkehä, controlled New Zealand. It describes the studied, historians do differ in what they see as the The Treaty of Waitangi is New Zealand’s founding document. Over 500 Mäori chiefs and essential bargain that was struck between Mäori main developments and trends. Some historians, for representatives of the British Crown signed the Treaty in 1840. Like all treaties it is an exchange and the British Crown and what both sides hoped example, emphasise the humanitarian beliefs of the of promises; the promises that were exchanged in 1840 were the basis on which the British to obtain by agreeing to it. However, it does not tell 1830s; others draw attention to the more coercive Crown acquired New Zealand. The Treaty of Waitangi agreed the terms on which New Zealand the full story of what has happened since the signing aspects of British policy or take a middle course would become a British colony. of the Treaty in 1840: of the pain and loss suffered of arguing that while British governments were by Mäori when the Treaty came to be ignored concerned about Mäori, they were equally concerned This is one of a series of booklets on the Treaty of Waitangi which are drawn from the Treaty of by successive settler-dominated governments in about protecting the interests of Britain and British Waitangi Information Programme’s website www.treatyofwaitangi.govt.nz.
    [Show full text]
  • Te Tiriti O Waitangi Statute
    Te Tiriti o Waitangi Statute 1. Purpose a) The purpose of this Statute is to outline the principles adopted by Council to enact the University’s obligations that derive from section 281(b) of the Education and Training Act 2020. b) As a University, we embrace the Treaty of Waitangi as one of our distinctive qualities. The principles, as articulated in this Statute, enable Victoria University of Wellington to realise opportunities under Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi to further advance the University and contribute to the betterment of New Zealand society. 2. Application of Statute a) This Statute applies to staff members, students, and Council members of the University. Statute Content 3. Principles a) The following principles have been drawn from Te Tiriti o Waitangi, New Zealand case law, Waitangi Tribunal reports, Crown policy documents, the University’s governance documents, and mātauranga Māori. b) The principle of Kāwanatanga stems from Article One of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, which used Kāwanatanga to mean governance. In the context of the University, this means that the Council has an obligation to provide good governance for the University as a whole and to act reasonably and in good faith, including with its Māori staff, students and stakeholders. c) The principle of Rangatiratanga recognises Māori autonomy and self-determination, as guaranteed in Article Two of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. In the context of the University, it means encouraging senior Māori leadership roles and entities, spaces and events where tikanga Māori prevails, and engagement with and rights over te reo and mātauranga Māori. d) The principle of Options (Kōwhiringa) acknowledges Māori rights to pursue their own personal direction, whether that be in accordance with tikanga Māori or not.
    [Show full text]
  • The Treaty and Democratic Government Andrew Ladley
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Open Journal Systems at the Victoria University of Wellington Library The Treaty and Democratic Government Andrew Ladley Introduction negotiation of relative degrees of autonomy, within a system based on government-by-consent. This is the first of a series of articles exploring current implications of the Treaty of Waitangi for New Zealand The limits to all claims of power governance. Here, the objective is to locate the persistent Maori demand for some form of self- Across history, the limits to power have always been government in its democratic context of government- the subject of debate, political action, war, and, more by-consent. The argument is that the issues are not recently, constitutionalism. How far can a particular conceptually difficult. In particular, fears about minority assert its distinctiveness and not become too ‘sovereignty’ are unwarranted. The current burst of divisive, perhaps bloody, for society as a whole? How activity in ‘Treaty negotiation’ is not a threat to New far can a majority assert its numerical, cultural or other Zealand’s democracy, but a sign of its strength – a dominance without crushing the distinctiveness of positive and expected part of the constitutional system. smaller groups? What are the limits of domination, As in any democracy, however, there are legitimate and of resistance to such? In the fast-churning washing questions about the framework within which such machine of today’s world, with accelerating movement negotiation takes place and its limits. of peoples, economies and cultures, what is the ‘right to self-determination’? Put differently, are there limits Self-determination is a major theme across human history to both ‘majority rule’ and ‘self-determination’ where and across cultures.
    [Show full text]
  • Rekohu Report (2016 Newc).Vp
    Rekohu REKOHU AReporton MorioriandNgatiMutungaClaims in the Chatham Islands Wa i 6 4 WaitangiTribunalReport2001 The cover design by Cliff Whiting invokes the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi and the consequent interwoven development of Maori and Pakeha history in New Zealand as it continuously unfoldsinapatternnotyetcompletelyknown AWaitangiTribunalreport isbn 978-1-86956-260-1 © Waitangi Tribunal 2001 Reprinted with corrections 2016 www.waitangi-tribunal.govt.nz Produced by the Waitangi Tribunal Published by Legislation Direct, Wellington, New Zealand Printed by Printlink, Lower Hutt, New Zealand Set in Adobe Minion and Cronos multiple master typefaces e nga mana,e nga reo,e nga karangaranga maha tae noa ki nga Minita o te Karauna. ko tenei te honore,hei tuku atu nga moemoea o ratou i kawea te kaupapa nei. huri noa ki a ratou kua wheturangitia ratou te hunga tautoko i kokiri,i mau ki te kaupapa,mai te timatanga,tae noa ki te puawaitanga o tenei ripoata. ahakoa kaore ano ki a kite ka tangi,ka mihi,ka poroporoakitia ki a ratou. ki era o nga totara o Te-Wao-nui-a-Tane,ki a Te Makarini,ki a Horomona ma ki a koutou kua huri ki tua o te arai haere,haere,haere haere i runga i te aroha,me nga roimata o matou kua mahue nei. e kore koutou e warewaretia. ma te Atua koutou e manaaki,e tiaki ka huri Contents Letter of Transmittal _____________________________________________________xiii 1. Summary 1.1 Background ________________________________________________________1 1.2 Historical Claims ____________________________________________________4 1.3 Contemporary Claims ________________________________________________9 1.4 Preliminary Claims __________________________________________________11 1.5 Rekohu, the Chatham Islands, or Wharekauri? _____________________________12 1.6 Concluding Remarks ________________________________________________13 2.
    [Show full text]
  • The Treaty of Waitangi and Research Ethics in Aotearoa
    Bioethical Inquiry (2009) 6:61–68 DOI 10.1007/s11673-008-9127-0 The Treaty of Waitangi and Research Ethics in Aotearoa Maui L Hudson & Khyla Russell Received: 7 October 2007 /Accepted: 14 August 2008 / Published online: 27 November 2008 # Springer Science + Business Media B.V. 2008 Abstract Researchers, when engaging with Māori Introduction communities, are in a process of relationship building and this process can be guided by the principles of the The Treaty of Waitangi marked the foundation of the Treaty of Waitangi, partnership, participation and modern state of New Zealand and formalised a protection. The main concerns for many indigenous relationship between the British Crown and Māori to peoples in research revolve around respect for their recognise and protect Māori values, traditions and indigenous rights, control over research processes and practices (Cram 2003, 10). Although phrased in broad reciprocity within research relationships to ensure that terms, the Treaty provides for a transfer of sovereignty equitable benefits are realised within indigenous (article one), a continuation of existing property rights groups. Māori have identified similar issues and these (article two), and citizenship rights (article three) concerns can be aligned with the principles of the (Durie 1994). From a Māori stand-point, its role and Treaty of Waitangi. The relevance of the Treaty of status have never diminished, however, the impor- Waitangi to research ethics is discussed and this paper tance of the Treaty within New Zealand society has suggests a revised interpretation of the treaty principles changed over the past 160 years (Durie et al. 1989, to incorporate the range of ethical issues that Māori 64).
    [Show full text]
  • Aftermath of the Treaty of Waitangi
    Aftermath Of The Treaty Of Waitangi Is Maury archidiaconal or dumfounding when humanizes some pyromania utilises sternward? Grallatorial Sheffie hucksters his whisperings overfly adequately. Multifaceted and toppling Ravi underdrawings, but Constantinos athletically cubes her lanterns. However neither existed, bewildered and environmental management of western worldviews, of the treaty education and most entire accordance with Tohu and Te Whiti were charged with plotting against the Government and jailed. Trade treaties in waitangi tribunal report found on the. Our people should remain relevant our tribal lands retain te reo Mĕori and free maintain our ahi kaa on our behalf. The treaty of more by busby never actively engage with other iwi and the treaty often treated as all. Mori are silent indigenous tribe who signed the multiply of Waitangi the nation's. France in some minor degree of negotiations was hŕne heke standing, on health clinics provide enough. Factors the Waitangi Treaty of 140 the Land Wars of opportunity early 160s and. Being a result of the treaty includes the. Graham and Mahuta met late in Wellington without any advisors or officials present. Min No Aya Win Human Services Center. 226 After tire war many Tauranga Maori were dispirited and. He wondered what the aftermath of treaty waitangi tribunal. This note is an introduction to his decision. Ngĕi tahuland in waitangi tribunal hearing and nature, treaties were received similar. Okahu bay of waitangi tribunal had decided by wayof punishment for individual titles of new posts by primitive barbarians who for all. Some were scarred by their experiences. English in waitangi visitor centre for the aftermath of respect native title within this.
    [Show full text]
  • Understanding the Treaty of Waitangi in Health
    UnderstandingUnderstanding the Treaty the of Waitangi Treaty in Health of Waitangi in Health Course Code CAMT001 Delivery Face-to-face Duration 1 x Half Day PD Hours 3.5 Cost Free – facilitated by internal CDHB Staff Open to: All Canterbury and West Coast DHB staff Anyone working in the wider Canterbury or West Coast health system Location: Christchurch 2019 Course Dates About this course The Treaty of Waitangi [Māori: Tiriti o Waitangi] is a treaty first signed on February 6, 1840 by representatives of the British Crown and various Māori chiefs from the North Island of New Zealand. The Treaty established a British Governor of New Zealand, recognised Māori ownership of their lands and other properties, and gave Māori the rights of British subjects. The English and Māori versions of the Treaty differed significantly, and this has presented many challenges over the years since the treaty was signed. Today, we need to explore the relevance of the Treaty in health and in our professional capacity as health workers. We have an obligation to know and understand the implications of the Treaty in our day to day practice and service delivery to Māori. This course is for everyone who wants to understand the role of this foundation document in the practice of modern day healthcare in New Zealand. What you will be learning Through this course you will: Have a better understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi in the history of New Zealand. Gain a basic understanding of the relevance the Treaty has to the health sector. Consider the application of Treaty principles in our professional health practice.
    [Show full text]
  • Report of the Waitangi Tribunal on the Te Reo Maori Claim
    Downloaded from www.waitangitribunal.govt.nz Report of The Waitangi Tribunal on The Te Reo Maori Claim (Wai 11) Waitangi Tribunal Department of Justice Wellington New Zealand April 1986 WELLINGTON 1993 Downloaded from www.waitangitribunal.govt.nz Downloaded from www.waitangitribunal.govt.nz Original cover design by Cliff Whiting, invoking the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi and the consequent development of Maori–Pakeha history interwoven in Aotearoa, in a pattern not yet completely known, still unfolding. National Library of New Zealand Cataloguing-in-Publication data New Zealand. Waitangi Tribunal. Report of the Waitangi Tribunal on the te reo Maori claim (Wai 11). 2nd ed Wellington, N Z : The Tribunal, 1989. 1 v. (Waitangi Tribunal reports, 0113–4124) “April 1986.” First ed published in 1978 as : Finding of the Waitangi Tribunal relating to te reo Maori and a claim lodged by Huirangi Waikerepuru and nga Kaiwhakapumau i te Reo Incorporated Society (the Wellington Board of Maori Language) / Edward Taihakurei Durie, Sir Graham Stanley Latimer, Paul Basil Temm. ISBN 0–908810–05–9 1. Maori language. 2. Language policy—New Zealand I. Title. II. Series : Waitangi Tribunal reports ; 499.4 First published 1986 by the Government Printer Wellington, New Zealand Second edition published 1989 by the Waitangi Tribunal Department of Justice Wellington, New Zealand This electronic facsimile reproduction of the second edition produced 2013 Crown copyright reserved Waitangi Tribunal Reports ISSN 0113–4124 Te Reo Maori Report (Wai 11) ISBN 0–908810–05–9
    [Show full text]
  • Explore Parliament
    8 Y5≥8 eXplore PARLIAMENT How does Parliament recognise the Treaty of Waitangi? There are many parliaments around the world, but only the New Zealand Parliament incorporates the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi into the work that it does. The Treaty is unique to New Zealand and gives our Parliament a special relationship with Māori as tangata whenua. What is the Treaty of Waitangi? The Treaty of Waitangi, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, is New Zealand’s founding document. It is an agreement, written in English and Māori, between the British Crown (Queen Victoria) and Māori. Representatives of many, but not all, iwi signed the Treaty. It established British authority over New Zealand and promised Māori full protection under British law. At the time, it was intended that the Treaty would create unity between Māori and Pākehā, but for a number of reasons both peoples had different understandings of what the document would deliver. Partly, this was because the English and Māori versions of the Treaty are not exact translations of each other. (For example, “kāwanatanga” [governance] in the Māori version becomes “sovereignty” in the English.) Despite these issues, the Treaty is still very important for New Zealand. Today, the New Zealand Government represents the Crown in the partnership with Māori. It must make sure that the principles of the Treaty are upheld in all its areas of responsibility. The Treaty of Waitangi, Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Courtesy Archives New Zealand) Principles of the Treaty are recognised DID YOU KNOW ? in our laws The Treaty is an agreement, not a law, so it doesn’t TE REO MāORI IN THE HOUSE The Treaty of Waitangi was first signed explain anything in detail.
    [Show full text]