Treaty of Waitangi
The Treaty of Waitangi, signed in 1840, is said to be New Zealand’s “founding document’ that gives everyone in New Zealand/Aotearoa their standing in society (Hayward: 2004). The understanding and meaning of the treaty provokes intense debate right across the country, from parliament to workplaces and a difference in opinions range from the critics to the advocates(Hayward: 2004). In a survey conducted by the Treaty of Waitangi information unit and reported by Boyd (2004) one in three People could not state the year in which the Treaty was signed. In the Social Policy journal of New Zealand Culpitt (1994) emphasises that although some pakeha are very critical of and see the Treaty as a threat, it is part of the essence of the national life and should be accepted as a foundation document of New Zealand. Through the many years of migration to New Zealand and colonisation of New Zealand the Treaty of Waitangi has provoked the development of this bicultural country and implications of this are still being seen today.
In 1834 twenty-five Maori chiefs assembled at Waitangi with James Busby, British resident, and chose a flag for our country to be placed on the masthead of any boat in order for it to be able to sail and in an act of recognising Maori sovereignty over New Zealand (Walker: 1990). In 1835, in order to retain Maori sovereignty, thirty-four chiefs met at Waitangi again to sign the Declaration of Independence of New Zealand (Walker: 1990). New Zealand was then declared an “independent state under the name of the United Tribes of New Zealand” (Walker: 1990, p.88).In 1840, Lord Normanby sent Captain Hobson to New Zealand as ‘consul’ after missionaries appealed to the British government for intervention. Normanby’s instructions were to “acquire sovereignty over the whole or any parts of the country that Maori wished to cede” (Hayward: 2004, p.152). “They had to be persuaded that the sacrifice of their national independence would bring the benefits of British
In 1834 twenty-five Maori chiefs assembled at Waitangi with James Busby, British resident, and chose a flag for our country to be placed on the masthead of any boat in order for it to be able to sail and in an act of recognising Maori sovereignty over New Zealand (Walker: 1990). In 1835, in order to retain Maori sovereignty, thirty-four chiefs met at Waitangi again to sign the Declaration of Independence of New Zealand (Walker: 1990). New Zealand was then declared an “independent state under the name of the United Tribes of New Zealand” (Walker: 1990, p.88).In 1840, Lord Normanby sent Captain Hobson to New Zealand as ‘consul’ after missionaries appealed to the British government for intervention. Normanby’s instructions were to “acquire sovereignty over the whole or any parts of the country that Maori wished to cede” (Hayward: 2004, p.152). “They had to be persuaded that the sacrifice of their national independence would bring the benefits of British
Bibliography: About the Tribunal (2010) Waitangi Tribunal, http://www.waitangi-tribunal.govt.nz/about/ (accessed 22 April 2010). About New Zealand, The Youngest Country (2010) Tourism New Zealand, http://www.newzealand.com/travel/about-nz/history/history-immigration.cfm (accessed 23 April 2010). ANZASW, (2008) Code of Ethics. Xpress Printing House, Christchurch, New Zealand. Boyd, S. (2004) The Treaty of What? The Dominion Post, 2nd June Edition 2 Pg 5. Culpitt, I. (1994) ‘Bicultural Fragments – A Pakeha Perspective’, Social Policy Journal Of New Zealand 2, pp. 48-62. Hayward, J. (2004) ‘Te Tiriti o Waitangi’ in Ka’ai, T. M., Moorefeild, J. C., Reilly, M., & Mosley, S. (eds), Ki Te Whaiao: An introduction to Maori Culture and Society. Pearson Press: Auckland, pp. 151-162. Orange, C. (1988) The Treaty of Waitangi – A Historical Overview. Public Sector 11 (4): 2-6. Reilly, R. (2004) ‘Whanaungatanga’, in Ka’ai, T. M., Moorefeild, J. C., Reilly, M., & Mosley, S. (eds), Ki Te Whaiao: An introduction to Maori Culture and Society. Pearson Press: Auckland, pp. 61-72. The Treaty in Practise (2009) New Zealand History, http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/politics/treaty/the-treaty-in-practice/early-crown-policy (accessed 23 April 2010). Walker, R. (1990) ‘Tauiwi Coming of the Pakeha’. In Ka Whawhai Tonu Matou Struggle Without End, Penguin Books: Auckland, pp.78-97.