You are a Maori chief at Waitangi. Should you sign the Treaty?
Your iwi is divided about this. You know that some other chiefs will sign, because they want to get more trade and guaranteed income, and think that the Crown will bring prosperity. But other chiefs are opposed to signing. They say that the white people are invaders. Some chiefs are so angry they want to make war.
You are a Maori chief at Waitangi. Should you sign the Treaty? It is your call.
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Context:
- Trade and contact between Maori and Europeans since James Cook's 'discovery' in 1769
- 1830s brought increased/accelerated contact, trade and settlement
- Maori population estimated at 100,00. European settlers equalled 200 in 1830 and approx 2,000 in 1839
- NZ still very much a ‘Maori place’ – Europeans relied on Maori for food supplies and protection
- Maori very interested in European technologies, goods and skills such as muskets, blankets, nails plus education (reading and writing)
- Maori concerned at the misbehaviour of some Europeans – disrespectful of Maori traditions/laws
- British government (prompted by humanitarians and missionaries) concerned about British citizens lawlessness, big land deals or steals and wanted an orderly settlement in NZ
Treaty Situation:
- William Hobson arrived in New Zealand on 29 January 1840. As lieutenant-governor of a colony that did not yet exist and the extent of which had not been decided, his task was to take possession of NZ with the consent of the Maori chiefs
- On 3 February he provided a draft treaty with a long and cumbersome explanation of what it meant. He covered all the points that Britain wanted: the chiefs would give up 'sovereignty', Britain would take over all land purchasing, Maori would have the protection and all rights and privileges of British subjects and would be guaranteed possession of their lands, forests, fisheries and other properties so long as they wanted them. These points were expressed in three clauses or articles.
- Maori presented with a Maori and English version of the Treaty
- Missionary Henry Williams and his son Edward, both of whom knew the Maori language, had the job of translating the document. It was an important task, but it had to be rushed. They received the document on the evening of 4 February, and it was needed for the meeting of the chiefs on the next day.
- Henry Williams realised that his role was critical. Like many others, he thought that Maori would be better off under British sovereignty. He knew that the chiefs would not agree if a treaty took too much power from them. The translation was key to getting Maori agreement
- The Maori translation was presented to some 500 Maori on 5 February. For several hours chiefs spoke for and against it. They debated the document late into the night, with Henry Williams on hand to explain and clarify points
Views on proposed Treaty:
- Some Maori take the view that ‘you can’t turn back time’ and saw perceived benefits from a treaty of protection from other foreign powers.
- Some Maori also saw the Treaty as a benefit to bring European settlement (and trade) close to them
- Some Maori were fearful and concerned about an uncertain outcome
- Some Maori were against a treaty proposed/imposed on them from a visitor
Terms of the Treaty - The Treaty has three articles.
- In the English version, these are that Maori ceded the sovereignty of New Zealand to Britain; Maori gave the Crown an exclusive right to buy lands they wished to sell and, in return, were guaranteed full rights of ownership of their lands, forests, fisheries and other possessions; and Maori would have the rights and privileges of British subjects.
- The Treaty in Maori was deemed to convey the meaning of the English version, but there are important differences. Most significantly, in the Maori version the word 'sovereignty' was translated as ‘kawanatanga’ (governance). Some Maori believed that the governor would have authority over the settlers alone; others thought that they gave up government over their lands but retained the right to manage their own affairs.
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What should you do?
It is proposed that you should sign the Treaty