Taraia Ngakuti Te Tumuhuia was a man who chose not to sign the Treaty. He was a leader in the Thames area. He didn’t want to sign the Treaty because he didn’t agree with everything that was in it.

Tamati Waka Nene was a chief who agreed to sign the Treaty of Waitangi. He supported the idea and convinced other Maori leaders to sign the Treaty.

Rangi Topeora was a Mãori woman. She was one of 12 women to sign the Treaty of Waitangi.

Henry Williams was an important man who had help from his 21-year-old son to translate the English words from the treaty into Maori.

William Hobson was sent to New Zealand to persuade Maori to make a treaty with the British.

James Busby was sent to New Zealand to stop some British settlers who weren’t obeying the rules. He arrived in New Zealand in May 1833. He built a house where the Treaty was signed and made sure the Treaty was fair for Maori.

The Problem

The problem with the Treaty was that when Henry Williams and his son translated it from English to Maori they translated some important words wrong. This meant Maori and British signed two different things. The English version said the British got sovereignty of New Zealand, which meant that the Queen of Britain was now the Queen of New Zealand. However, the Maori signed a Treaty that gave Britain “kawanatanga” which meant “governorship”, not sovereignty.

By J.N

What?
The treaty of Waitangi was a treaty between Maori and British.  There were 3 parts:

1.    Government- The British Crown was to have governship over Aotearoa.
2.    Land – Maori still owned their land, forests and fisheries and if they wanted to sell they could sell it to the British Crown who would then sell it to settlers.
3.    Protection – The Treaty said that the British Crown would protect Settlers and Maori and give them the same rights as a British citizen.

Where?
The Treaty was first signed in Waitangi by over 40 chiefs.  It was then sent all around New Zealand.

Photo by Peppery 

When?
The Treaty of Waitangi was signed in Waitangi on 6 February 1840 and months later signatures where still being collected.

By J.M