Where is the original Treaty of Waitangi?
If you are in Wellington, you can actually see the Treaty of Waitangi. The original documents are on permanent exhibition at the National Library of New Zealand. He Tohu | National Library of New Zealand.
What are the two versions of the Treaty of Waitangi?
There were two versions of the Treaty – one in English and one in Māori. They are not exact translations of each other. Those who signed the Treaty brought different experiences and understandings of certain words to the signing.
What does the Treaty of Waitangi actually say?
In the English version, Māori cede the sovereignty of New Zealand to Britain; Māori give the Crown an exclusive right to buy lands they wish to sell, and, in return, are guaranteed full rights of ownership of their lands, forests, fisheries and other possessions; and Māori are given the rights and privileges of British …
Why is the Treaty of Waitangi controversial?
Some Māori were pressured into bad land deals with the Crown. The Treaty gave the Crown exclusive rights to buy Māori land. This was known as pre-emption. It was occasionally waived to allow private parties to buy land – one such period resulted in large areas of land being bought by settlers in and around Auckland.
Why did the British signed the Treaty of Waitangi?
Reasons why chiefs signed the treaty included wanting controls on sales of Māori land to Europeans, and on European settlers. They also wanted to trade with Europeans, and believed the new relationship with Britain would stop fighting between tribes.
What was wrong with the Treaty of Waitangi?
The land was lost through a combination of private and Government purchases, outright confiscation, and Native Land Court practices that made it difficult for Māori to maintain their land under traditional ownership structures. There were some purchases of Māori land made before the Treaty was signed.
Why did the British make the Treaty of Waitangi?
Which version of the Treaty of Waitangi is legal?
There are two accepted versions of the Treaty of Waitangi: a Māori text known as Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the English version hereon called the Treaty of Waitangi. Under law both are accepted as the Treaty of Waitangi, but they are significantly different in meaning.