Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti o Waitangi)
Every year – February 6th, it is called a Treaty of Waitangi during the Waitangi Day (Public Holiday). It is imperative to all Māori people, especially to everyone else who came from different countries.
Yesterday (February 4th 2021), the Prime Minister – Jacinda Ardern made the announcement which brings joy to all Māori people including the Turi Deaf Māori. Next year, there is another public holiday day, and it is called Matariki Day, and the day is the 24th of June 2022.
Let focus on the Treaty of Waitangi. Several people have no idea what is the Treaty of Waitangi, and why is it important for everyone to understand? The Treaty of Waitangi has been a long subject of dispute between European and Māori over many years. There was a problem for the turi D/deaf Māori people because they did not fully understand the treaty. In the past, through the NZ Education system, it was never taught in the classroom except for University and Polytechnic. Yes, it was shocking for the primary and intermediate children who have not learnt about the Treaty of Waitangi. Today the Māori elders and professors called for the history curriculum should be taught in all education levels. I learnt the Māori history through Social Studies in the mainstream high school and my BA degree at the university and one thing I found that there was no history of the turi Māori people and their stories of the past. I was disappointed, and there was a lack of awareness for the turi Māori people and children. Today, there has been increasing awareness for the turi Māori to learn more about Māori histories such as land wars, Te Reo Māori, culture, belief, myths and whakapapa.
What is the Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti o Waitangi)? The treaty of Waitangi is a New Zealand’s founding document and based on an agreement (not really in a full agreement) in Māori and English language between 540 Māori rangatira (chiefs) and the British Crown. That document and many signatures occur in the Bay of Islands, North Island, New Zealand on the 6th February. Why this document produced in New Zealand, and what was the main reason for this purpose? In the past, there had been an increasingly growing number of British migrants to live around in New Zealand from the early 1830s. The French people were interesting to live in New Zealand as well. The British Government decided to act quickly and realising that annexing the country could protect Māori, regulate British subjects and secure commercial interests.
But wait? Does the British people understand Māori people and their te Reo Māori (Māori Language) or not? Do the Māori people understand the English language? Who and how long does the person prepare the Treaty using te Reo Māori (Māori Language) and English? Mind bonker! Imagine what it is like to communicate in the old days? Body gestures, facial expressions, or vocalising expression?
Of course, the problem was misunderstood over the Treaty, and it was not very clear on particular in the te Reo Māori (Māori Language) fitted in the English language. The person who wrote the Treaty was Lieutenant-Governor William Hobson and several supporters like James Busby, Missionary Henry Williams and his son Edward who translated into te Reo overnight. Then around 500 Māori debated over the document for a day and night before signing the Treaty on the 6th of February. Bear in mind! not all Māori chiefs signed the Treaty around New Zealand/Aotearoa from February to September. Māori chiefs signed the Māori version of the Treaty only. However, in England, the Colonial Office declared the Treaty applied to all Māori tribes minus chiefs had not signed. On the 21st of May 1840, the country (Aotearoa/New Zealand) was proclaimed the British’s sovereignty. What!
What is the problem? Remember the languages I am talking about te Reo and English, and it is impossible to translate the word to fit the right meaning or similar meaning. It does not always work. Otherwise, it can be embarrassing or rude. Seriously it is not a laughing matter, and the Māori people have been fighting over their country – Aotearoa belong to them, not to the British or the Crown for 181 years. Hang on!
Before 1840, there was another document. It was He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni (known in English as the Declaration of Independence of the United Tribes of New Zealand) in 1835.
This document was signed by 35 Rangatira (Māori leaders/chiefs) and four British Residents. This declaration states the sovereignty (Te mana i te whenua) that existed in 1835 and was designed to promote and protect the rights of Māori. It document provided a portal for the Treaty of Waitangi negotiations. https://www.hrc.co.nz/news/declaration-independence-new-zealand/
The person wrote this document, James Busby. Yes, the same person who supported Hobson along with other supporters in 1840.
Here is a quote – “By July 1839, 52 chiefs had signed He Whakaputanga, including Te Hāpuku and Te Wherowhero, the first Māori King. The document was officially acknowledged by the British government. Busby saw it as a significant mark of Māori national identity and believed it would prevent other countries from making formal deals with Maori.” https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/interactive/the-declaration-of-independence
Māori people knew there were too many foreign travellers visiting Aotearoa for trades such as foods, flax for ropes. Imagine if someone collects something that it is not rightful owner than yourself. Māori people want to acknowledge to King William’s protection against threats to their mana. They also thanked the King for acknowledging their flag.
So, what is the problem in the Treaty of Waitangi? It is the language that means differently between English and te Reo, and one more article was missing is Religion. Many of the words show here -‘sovereignty’ was translated as ‘kawanatanga’ (governance), and ‘undisturbed possession’ of all their ‘properties’. Still, the Māori version guaranteed ‘tino rangatiratanga’ (full authority) over ‘taonga’ (treasures, which may be intangible). There were three articles which are: Protect Māori interests from the encroaching British settlement, Provide for British settlement; Establish a government to maintain peace and order. The fourth article was missing, and it supposes to have Religion under the Māori. The Government accepted that there was a missing article today.
There were many land wars, confiscations lands and musket war in the past, and the worst one was here in Waikato where we live today.
