Historical Overview of the Treaty of Waitangi

Early Connections What the Treaty Says The Treaty journey goes back many centuries to Lord Normanby (British Secretary of State for the the time when Polynesians, migrating throughout Colonies) said, in the instructions he gave to the Pacific, identified Aotearoa as a desirable Captain Hobson in August 1839, that he was to place to settle. Over the centuries, the early establish government amongst Europeans in order arrivals spread out and new groups came to join to avert ‘the same process of war and spoliation’ them. that had occurred elsewhere when Europeans Many centuries later, Europeans eventually arrived (Buick, 1976, pp 71-72). extended their explorations in this direction as Unfortunately, the process for discussing and well, with Abel Tasman naming the place Nieuw agreeing to the Treaty was problematic, which led Zeeland on his map in 1642. By the early 1800s, to fundamental misunderstandings between the people of many nationalities were living alongside English Crown and hapū signatories, especially in the hapū — although in 1840 Māori still vastly relation to who held sovereignty: the hapū outnumbered them. believed they had retained it while the Crown believed that it had been ceded to them. These Generally, these early different perspectives are reflected in the two main relationships were By definition, what documents that are referred to as ‘the Treaty’: the mutually beneficial: distinguishes a ‘treaty’ from Māori Text and the English Version. Although the European traders were keen to have new other types of agreements is British Crown and subsequently the New Zealand markets; missionaries that it must be between government have tended to focus on the English Version, the Māori Text is increasingly recognised were pleased to find new sovereign parties. because converts; and settlers • many more hapū signed it (over 500 compared relied on tangata whenua to only 39 signatures on the English Version) for survival as they established new homes for themselves. Tangata whenua valued new material • rangatira signing the Māori Text knew what resources such as iron tools and wool, and were they were agreeing to as it was in their own language, while those who signed the English interested in European ideas such as a written Version did so based on explanations in Māori language. At that time Europeans comprised just by British missionaries and others 1% of the population. • an international legal principle recognises that As in any relationships there were some difficulties. the Māori Text takes precedence There were cross-cultural misunderstandings and Whichever document is considered, however, the problems caused by European lawlessness which fundamental point is that the Treaty created a had an impact on land dealings. At that time tangata unique relationship between the government and whenua raised their concerns with missionaries and the hapū traders. Relationships Deteriorate with Colonisation European governments were not particularly keen Unfortunately, the colonisation process that to get involved because New Zealand was too far followed was typical of European colonisation away and appeared to be of little strategic value, elsewhere. The Treaty relationship, as envisioned but the Europeans and tangata whenua who were by the Crown in 1840, contained some significant living together here wanted to address the aspects: problems in order to retain the benefits of their • The British recognised hapū sovereignty, and relationships. In 1835 the British Resident, James ownership of land. Busby, decided to take a step in this direction by • It was a voluntary arrangement. writing the Declaration of Independence to the • It was intended to enhance relationships for King of England on behalf of many hapū in the north. In addition to asserting hapū sovereignty, it mutual benefit. stated that the hapū would protect and befriend • The coloniser had good intentions. British people living in their communities in • The British were taking responsibility for exchange for the King protecting the hapū from misbehaving Europeans. colonisation. Thus, the foundation was laid for a From the beginning, differences of understanding somewhat different approach to colonisation in about what the Treaty said created friction, but the New Zealand: when the British Colonial Office problems escalated dramatically as large numbers sent Captain Hobson to arrange a formal of Europeans arrived who did not know or care relationship between the Crown and the hapū it about the Treaty, who had not been in positions of was emphasised that the hapū were sovereign and dependence on tangata whenua for survival and owned the land, and that Hobson was responsible who therefore did not particularly value for ensuring their full, informed consent to any relationships with hapū. By 1860, Māori were less changes to this state of affairs.

2019 TRC www.trc.org.nz This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 New Zealand License. Please acknowledge the source if copying. than half the population in the country, and their A good introduction which is short and easy to read land was being taken at an equally rapid rate. Durie, Mason. (1989) Te Mana, Te Kawanatanga: Decline in Maori Population and Control of Land the Politics of Maori Self-Determination. Auckland: Oxford University Press 100 population 90 Contemporary Māori development and aspirations 80 land

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1821 1831 1841 1851 1861 1871 1881 1891 1901 1911 1921 1931 1941 1951 1961 1971 1981 1991 Times: the illustrated history. Auckland: Resource Books The overriding of hapū authority and their rights in the land, the denial of fundamental human rights A colourful and accessible history to Māori, and the devastating effects of New Zealand History online colonisation on Māori communities are now well https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/treaty-of-waitangi recorded and are still very evident today (see, for example, Walker, 1990; Orange, 1989; Te Puni Kōkiri, 2000). Te Arawhiti The office for Māori Crown Relations https://tearawhiti.govt.nz/ The Treaty Today The negotiation process and settlement progress The Treaty movement as we know it today emerged from Māori activism in the 1970s, which Orange, C. (1991) An illustrated history of the in turn influenced Pākehā in the anti-racism and Treaty of Waitangi. Wellington: Allen & Unwin peace movements, amongst others, to become The easiest-to-read introduction to the topic more proactive. Te Puni Kokiri. (2000) Progress towards closing In the 1980s, for the first time, the government was social and economic gaps between Māori and non- proactive in considering how the Treaty might be Māori: a report to the Minister of Māori Affairs. incorporated into the future of New Zealand, by Wellington: Te Puni Kokiri including references to it in some legislation; previously, government activities had been Aggregated information from various social and confined to responses to Treaty breaches, for economic sources example in establishing the Waitangi Tribunal in Treaty Educators for Migrants Group (2006) 1976. The 1990s were dominated by emergence of Tangata Tiriti - Treaty People. Auckland Workers a ‘settlement’ process to address injustices in Educational Association taking land from Māori. The beginning of the 21st Provides simple, accurate information in plain century has been characterised by a curtailment, English about the Treaty of Waitangi for recent and in some cases reversal, of previous progress as migrants the government has responded to perceived public dissatisfaction with Treaty-identified strategies. Treaty Resource Centre. http://www.trc.org.nz Activities and other resources not available elsewhere. Further Reading Waitangi Tribunal Reports (2002) Belich, J. (1988) The New Zealand Wars and the https://waitangitribunal.govt.nz/publications-and Victorian interpretation of racial conflict. resources/research-reports/ Auckland: Penguin Report summaries are available, as well as full Introduction and conclusion include analysis of Tribunal reports why wars occurred Walker, R.J. (2004) Ka Whawhai Tonu Matou: Struggle without End. (2nd ed) Auckland: Penguin Buick, T. L., (1936) The Treaty of Waitangi: How A history of Aotearoa/New Zealand, from creation New Zealand became a British Colony. New and Polynesian migration through to the present Plymouth: T. Avery An early account of the Treaty

Calman, R. (2003) The Treaty of Waitangi. Auckland: Reed

2019 TRC www.trc.org.nz This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 New Zealand License. Please acknowledge the source if copying.