In 1840 more than 500 rangatira (chiefs) signed the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand’s founding document, an agreement between Māori and the British Crown.
When complete, Ngā tohu – treaty signatories will include biographical information on every signatory of the Treaty of Waitangi who can be identified. Some of those who signed are well-known, while the only thing we know about others is that they signed the treaty.
Most of the information about the identities of the signatories comes from two sources, Miria Simpson’s 1990 book Ngā tohu o te Tiriti: making a mark, and Claudia Orange’s books on the Treaty of Waitangi.
Much of the biographical information has come from secondary sources, including online digitised sources. In some cases this information is unclear or contradictory. Entries will be amended as we receive corrections or additional information.
We are keen to expand the information about signatories of Ngā tohu. If you can tell us more about any of them, especially those for whom we have little information, please either leave a comment on a biography page or email [email protected].
