The Treaty of Waitangi is central to understanding the broad survey of New Zealand in the 19th century. It affected the lives of New Zealanders in the 19th century, affected race relations and the evolution of settler government, and played a significant role in the origins and consequences of the 1845–1892 wars.
Amalgamating Maori into colonial settler society was a key part of British policy in New Zealand after 1840. Economic and social change, along with land-purchase programmes, were central to this process.
Between 8 November 1939 and 4 May 1940 more than 2.6 million people visited the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition in Wellington; this represents an average daily attendance of about 17,000 people. The government spent £250,000 – more than $19 million in today's money – on the exhibition.
Every year on 6 February New Zealand marks the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. Since the 1970s the style and mood of the commemorations on Waitangi Day have been influenced by the increasingly heated debate surrounding the status of the Treaty in modern-day New Zealand.
The New South Wales government played an important role in New Zealand in the 1830s. An official British government presence in New Zealand was made in 1833 with the appointment of James Busby as British Resident.
By the end of 1840 about 540 Maori, including 13 women, had signed the Treaty of Waitangi; all but 39 signed the Maori text. Some had clear expectations about what their agreement would bring; others chose not to sign the Treaty at all.
The Declaration of Independence was signed in 1835. Maori have seen the short document as British recognition of an independent Maori nation, although at the time it seems to have had little practical effect.
The pressure to sell land was a key factor in the creation of the Kingitanga. Before European settlement Maori could not sell land and few chiefs had the mana or authority to gift land. But by the late 1840s secret deals with government officials were occurring.
New Zealand became a British colony in 1840, legitimised by the Treaty of Waitangi and Lieutenant-Governor William Hobson's declaration of 21 May declaring sovereignty over the islands.
From the 1940s the Treaty and Waitangi began to find a place in the national consciousness. For most New Zealanders, they were of historical interest only.
By the later 1830s the British government grew concerned about how land was obtained from Maori. Action was needed, it decided, to protect the interests of Maori from the worst ravages of European impact.
The Treaty of Waitangi is on permanent display in the Constitution Room at Archives New Zealand in Wellington. It has not always been so secure. Water, time and rodents all took a toll on the documents in the past.
Protecting Maori, regulating land purchases, controlling the activities of settlers and dealing with the potential influx of migrants came together in British policy in 1839; New Zealand would be annexed.
Modern New Zealand has debated the Treaty of Waitangi as never before. Understanding, reconciliation, protest and confrontation have been part of this process.
Ngāi Tahu signed a Deed of Settlement with the Crown in 1998. This completed almost 150 years of the tribe's struggle to have the Crown honour its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi.
Matene Te Whiwhi, about 1870. Henare Matene Te Whiwhi was of Ngati Raukawa and Ngati Toa. As a young man he lived through the turmoil of his people's migration to the Cook Strait region. This may have formed the major theme in his life – the preservation of peace.
The flagpole at Waitangi. For years the New Zealand navy ensured that it was kept in good condition. From 1974, three flags have usually been flown on it - the New Zealand flag, the Union flag, and the flag of the United Tribes of New Zealand chosen in 1834.
Donald McLean had a long career as government official, politician and
provincial superintendent. Fluent in Maori, he played a key role in
relations between the races in New Zealand.
Bay of Islands Nga Puhi chief Hone Heke was an influential Maori voice in favour of the Treaty of Waitangi. However he later became a leading opponent of British rule in New Zealand.
The Waitangi copy of the Treaty was first signed at Waitangi on 6 February 1840. See interactive version of the Treaty document and information about all the signatories
Charles Crofts (Negotiator for Ngai Tahu) and Doug Graham (Minister in Charge of Treaty of Waitangi negotiations) hongi after signing the Ngai Tahu settlement, 24 September 1997
