Treaty of Waitangi
Waitangi, Bay of Islands, New Zealand
What happened
Captain William Hobson, for the British Crown, and Māori rangatira (chiefs), mainly from the north, signed the treaty. Hobson drafted the treaty, and the missionary Henry Williams translated it into Māori. It was first signed on 6 February 1840 in a marquee on the lawn in front of James Busby's house, and copies were then taken around the country for more signatures. The English and Māori texts differ in important ways about sovereignty and ownership.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It is regarded as New Zealand's founding document. Disputes over what it means are still active today.
What came next
Disagreements over the treaty helped lead to the New Zealand Wars. In 1975 the Waitangi Tribunal was set up to look into breaches of the treaty.
Did you know?
Hobson did not expect the chiefs to sign that day and was reportedly not in his naval uniform.
Timeline
- 6 February 1840First signing at Waitangi; Hōne Heke is the first chief to sign that day.
- 1840About 500 more signatures are added around the country.
- 1975The Waitangi Tribunal is created.
- 6 FebruaryWaitangi Day, New Zealand's national day.