history
Cultural and linguistic similarities belie the Polynesian heritage of the Maori and the fact that Aotearoa is inextricably part of the Pacific. Although physical evidence is surfacing to corroborate Maori oral history that there has always been human occupation in New Zealand, Maori ancestors were sophisticated navigators and seafarers. Regular and extensive ocean-going travel was undertaken throughout the South Pacific.
Officially, New Zealand was discovered by the western world in 1642 by Dutch explorer Abel Tasman who, although never set foot on land here, is responsible for naming New Zealand. It was Captain James Cook who later cleared the way for Pakeha settlement.
New Zealand's Founding Documents
As with all first world people, colonisation has had enormous impact on Maori society. Two documents, one a declaration and the other a covenant, have been vital in the contemporary rebuilding and healing process.
Declaration of Independence 1835 - Te Whakaminenga o Nu Tireni
In the face of American & French colonial overtures as well as those from the British the Declaration was adopted at Waitangi on 28 October 1835. Thirty-five ariki and rangatira representing iwi and hapu from the Far North to the Hauraki Gulf signed the declaration at that hui announcing to the world that their sovereignty resides with them.
Later, other notable leaders added their signatures; those from outside the Tai Tokerau included Te Hapuku of Ngati Kahungunu and Potatau Te Wherowhero of Tainui.
The English translation presented here was sent to the Under Secretary of State at the Colonial Office in London by James Busby, British Resident in New Zealand, on 2 November 1835.
In essence the Declaration sets the context for the Treaty of Waitangi.
Many, such as Manuka Henare have puzzled at the idea that a 'free people would openly and willingly cede their sovereignty to virtual strangers'. What were our tupuna thinking?
A semantic analysis of both the Declaration and the Treaty of Waitangi can shed light on this question, as well as highlight some significant features in both documents. Such phrases as 'mana i te wenua' and 'tino rangatiratanga' indicate the thinking of the time and are important in establishing the context in which the Treaty of Waitangi sits. These phrases do not appear in the Treaty. Thus the leaders involved in signing the Treaty - some also signed the Declaration - could not possibly have thought they were ceding sovereignty. The transliteration of governance 'kawanatanga' is not 'mana i te wenua' however 'tino rangatiratanga' is used in both. There is only a five-year duration between the signing of each document, hence the use of differing phrases demonstrates that there was no confusion in the minds of our tupuna.
View the text of the Declaration
Te Tiriti o Waitangi - Treaty of Waitangi 1840
The Treaty reflects the humanitarian, yet patronising, tenor of early Crown involvement in New Zealand settlement that sought to 'amalgamate' the natives into Settler society. This protective demeanor was set to change in the ensuing twenty years, which saw the overemphasis on Crown preemptive right and sovereignty.
View the text of the three versions of the Treaty
Contemporary context
Treaty issues have been fraught with difficulty. Rather than incorporate the text in its entirety into municipal law, past governments have devised principles as their own benchmark to guide and monitor the Treaty partnership. These principles have not resulted from negotiation with the Maori interests concerned but have largely been dictated of matters political expediency.
