treaty of waitangi ppt (1) (2)
TRANSCRIPT
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
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)