The Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti)
Signing of the Treaty
The Treaty of Waitangi was officially signed by representatives of the Crown of the Queen of England and most of the Maori Tribes of (Aotearoa) New Zealand at Waitangi on February 6th 1840.
It is the agreement on which the relationship between the indigenous Maori people and all subsequent settlers given entry by the Crown is based.
Why the Treaty is important
The Treaty itself is made up of three articles, written in English and Māori and is seen as a “living agreement” that continues to grow and develop with time. It has three main points:
- Article One: Government makes law
- Article Two: Māori resources and ways of life are protected
- Article Three: The basic rights of all people within Aotearoa New Zealand are protected.
The principles of the Treaty are referred to in several Acts of Parliament and it is an important part of how New Zealanders work and the New Zealand education system.
These principles are:
- the principle of government (the Government has the right to govern and to make laws)
- the principle of self-management (iwi Maori have the right to organise themselves, and to control the resources they own)
- the principle of equality (all New Zealanders are equal under the law)
- the principle of reasonable co-operation (the Crown must act reasonably and in good faith towards its Treaty partner)
- the principle of redress (the Crown is responsible for helping to address grievances).
Further information
You are not expected to speak Māori (Te Reo) in New Zealand, even though it is an official language, however it would be good to be aware of and have an understanding of the language, Māori protocol and Māori culture and customs. Understanding the Treaty will help you to understand New Zealand society and the significance of the Treaty in every aspect of life.
You can find information about this online at:
www.waitangi-tribunal.govt.nz
www.govt.nz
www.natlib.govt.nz
www.tepapa.govt.nz
www.archives.govt.nz
www.nzhistory.net.nz
