Waikato - Manukau Treaty copy

Use the tool bar at the bottom of this interactive to zoom in and navigate. The drop down menu at the top lists the names of those who signed - choosing a name takes you to their signature on the document.

The Waikato-Manukau copy of the Treaty

There are 39 signatures on the Waikato-Manukau copy of the Treaty of Waitangi. This may have been the only copy of the Treaty in English sent out for signing.

Missionary Robert Maunsell, whose station was near the mouth of the Waikato River, received the copy in late March or early April 1840, just as a meeting of some 1500 Maori was assembling. He believed that the 32 chiefs who first signed the copy were most of the leading men of the area. They were mainly from the lower Waikato region, while some came from Ngaruawahia and further upstream. Seven further names were added at Manukau (probably at Awhitu) on 26 April. Te Wherowhero and several others were present but would not sign.

This copy is neatly written on paper. It has the seal and signature of Lieutenant-Governor William Hobson. Hobson signed with his left hand as his right hand was paralysed by a stroke he suffered on 1 March. Maunsell took care to record the tribe or hapu for most of the chiefs. Sometimes he noted their location, although this was seldom fixed as political and seasonal pressures meant that chiefs and their people moved about a good deal. Hoana (Joanna?) Riutoto (15) is a woman of rank.