Waitangi Treaty Grounds

Waitangi was traditionally a meeting ground for the many tribes of the Bay of Islands, so when James Busby, the first British Resident, asked to build a home here in 1833, the location of Waitangi was supported by local Māori.

Prior to Busby’s appointment, New Zealand had been witness to occasions of tension as European explorers such as Abel Tasman, James Cook and Marion du Fresne arrived and attempted to stake their claim to this new land.

Visits that started well and initially proved to be mutually beneficial could end in conflict as Europeans remained ignorant to Māori customs and protocol, and in some instances caused irreparable offence to Tangata Whenua (people of the land).

However, as the benefits of trade strengthened, there was a growing desire from both Māori and Europeans to improve mutual understanding of language, culture and ways of life.

A growing desire for international recognition of New Zealand and its governance led to a meeting of Māori chiefs in 1835 at Waitangi. Concerned about the intentions of the growing number of Europeans, the chiefs put their signatures to a document that declared New Zealand’s independence.

This Declaration of Independence (He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni) was acknowledged and supported by the British Government. However, overseas interests continued to arrive, with the United States and France competing for influence in New Zealand, as well as private British and French companies planning settlements.

Over time, British ties proved to be stronger than all others, with Māori and British becoming interdependent through business, marriage, children and religion. As a result, the Treaty of Waitangi was drafted by Captain William Hobson, and translated by Reverend Henry Williams into Māori before being presented to local rangatira (chiefs).

The Māori version of the Treaty was signed at Waitangi on 6 February 1840 by about 40 chiefs following extensive discussion and debate. By September 1840 over 500 leaders from throughout New Zealand had signed Māori versions of the document while only 39 signed the English version.

Most rangatira signed the Māori version (Te Tiriti o Waitangi) and by 1845 there was much discontent stemming from different translations of key terms in the two versions, particularly relating to sovereignty and possession of lands and other properties.

The morning started with a cultural dance which was very good.Read more