The Treaty of Waitangi Quiz

The Treaty of Waitangi was written by William Hobson, James Freeman and James Busby in three days. The translation of the treaty into Māori was done by Henry Williams and his son Edward Marsh Williams. The Māori text differs from the English text, making it difficult to interpret the treaty. The critical differences between the texts revolve around the interpretation of the Māori words kāwanatanga, rangatiratanga and taonga. Few Māori involved with the treaty negotiations understood the concepts of sovereignty or "governorship". The treaty consists of a preamble and three articles. The first article grants the Queen of England "absolutely and without reservation all the rights and powers of Sovereignty" over New Zealand. The second article guarantees to the chiefs full "exclusive and undisturbed possession of their Lands and Estates Forests Fisheries and other properties". The third article guarantees to all Māori the same rights as all other British subjects.The Treaty of Waitangi is a document signed in 1840 between representatives of the British Crown and more than 500 Māori chiefs. There are two versions of the treaty, one in English and one in Māori, and there are differences in wording and interpretation between the two. The Māori text uses the word "taonga", which is broader than the English concept of legal property, and can encompass intangible things such as language and culture. The pre-emption clause is generally not well translated, and many Māori believed they were simply giving the British Queen first offer on land. Māori beliefs and attitudes towards ownership and use of land were different from those prevailing in Britain and Europe. The Treaty of Waitangi is a significant document in New Zealand's history and continues to have a role in New Zealand society, particularly in relation to Waitangi Tribunal claims and commemoration.