Te Tiriti o Waitangi: Our founding document
Parts of the document
Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Te Tiriti for short) is a short document made up of three main parts:
- preamble – This is the introduction to the document and states the intentions of the parties signing it.
- articles – The main text is divided into three separate articles. Each article was intended to operate simultaneously (happening at the same time) and outline a specific area that was agreed to by Māori and the Crown.
- signatures – About 40 chiefs signed the Māori version on 6 February 1840 to acknowledge that they have entered into the full spirit of Te Tiriti. By the end of 1840, another 500 Māori from all around New Zealand had signed the document. Lieutenant-Governor William Hobson signed the English version of the Treaty along with other representatives of the British Crown.
The original copy of Te Tiriti lay buried in a forgotten, damp storeroom at Parliament House, water-damaged and eaten by rats, until being accidentally discovered sometime in 1908.
You can read the English version of the Treaty of Waitangi at NZhistory online:
Articles
The middle section of Te Tiriti o Waitangi is made up of three parts called articles. Each article refers to a specific part of the agreement between Māori and the Crown.
Article 1: Kawanatanga
Article 1 gave the Crown kawanatanga or the right to govern all citizens of New Zealand, whether they were Māori or tauiwi (non-Māori). In the Māori text, the chiefs gave the Queen "te Kawanatanga katoa", the governance or government over the land. In the English text of the Treaty, the chiefs gave the Queen "all the rights and powers of sovereignty" over the land and all the peoples in it.
Article 2: Tino rangatiratanga
In return for te kawanatanga agreed to in Article 1, Article 2 confirmed and guaranteed Māori the right to te tino rangatiratanga, or sovereignty and chieftainship over all Māori taonga and treasures. This includes land, villages and property. Māori also agreed to give the Crown the right to buy land from them should Māori wish to sell it. The English version confirmed and guaranteed Māori the "exclusive and undisturbed possession of their lands and estates, forests, fisheries and other properties". However, it is not certain whether the Māori text clearly conveyed the full implications of this article.
Jenna gives an example of how Article 2 relates to her youth work:
"In my work, te tino rangatiratanga is really important. I make sure I get input from whanau and hapu about their most important taonga – their rangatahi (young person)."
Article 3: Oritetanga
In the Māori text, the Crown gave an assurance that Māori would have the Queen's protection and equal rights as citizens in Aotearoa New Zealand. This appears to be an accurate translation of the English.
Kendale gives an example of how Article 3 relates to his youth work:
"Article 3 is important in my work. I make sure young people are educated about their rights so they are able to participate fully as citizens."
Your notes
US 16843Te Tiriti handout1