Difference Between the English and Māori Versions of the Treaty of Waitangi: Treaty of Waitangi | Social Studies

Welcome to another post. For Social Studies, we looked at the differences between the English and Māori versions of the Treaty of Waitangi and their differences. We were given a summary of the Treaty and had to find the differences between both versions.

The signing of the Treaty of Waitangi
Credit: Painting of the treaty signing by Marcus King, 1938 (Alexander Turnbull Library, G-821-2)
https://nzhistory.govt.nz/the-treaty-of-waitangi-is-signed

Treaty of Waitangi Māori and English Version

The Treaty of Waitangi - shown to British / everyone else	Te Tiriti o Waitangi - shown to Māori (English Translation)
Māori to give up complete sovereignty to Britain. This meant Māori came under complete control of the British government and laws.	Māori to give up governorship (Kāwanatanga). For Māori, this meant Queen Victoria became the sovereign of New Zealand. However, Māori chiefs still had control of their tribes.
Māori is guaranteed their ‘possession of their lands, estates, forests, fisheries, and other properties’.  The British crown has the pre-emptive right to buy Māori land that is offered for sale. That meant Māori could only sell to the British government.	Māori have full chieftainship (rangatiratanga) of their lands, villages and possessions and everything they treasure — language, culture, etc. If Māori wanted to sell their land, they had to first offer it to the British crown at an agreed price. If the British crown did not agree, land could then be sold to someone else.
Māori have the same rights as British subjects.	The British will protect Māori. Māori have the same rights as British subjects.

Differences between the British and Māori translations

In the British (English) version of the Treaty of Waitangi, it is said that Māori will give up complete sovereignty to Britain. However, in the Māori version, it is said that the Māori will only give up sovereignty, not complete sovereignty. Another difference is that in the English version, it is said that Māori is under the complete control of the British government, unlike the Māori version, where Queen Victoria became the sovereign of New Zealand and Māori chiefs still had control of their tribes. Māori thought that they can control their tribes, but they weren’t.

In the Māori version, taonga (treasured possession) and protection of language and culture are included, however, in the English version, it isn’t written. Another difference is that the British has the right to buy Māori land offered in sale, but in the Māori version, the Māori had to first offer it to the British crown, if they want to sell their land, with an agreed price; the land would be sold to someone else then if the British crown did not agree to the price.

In the Māori version of the Treaty, it was told that the British will protect Māori, but in the English version, it wasn’t written in the treaty.

In my opinion, I think the Treaty is different because the British want to be superior over Māori and gain profits out of the Treaty, meaning Māori will get less in return.

Declaration of Independence: Treaty of Waitangi | Social Studies

Welcome to another post. Today, in Social Studies, we looked at the Declaration of Independence of New Zealand, which also links in with the Treaty of Waitangi. We had to watch a video, and had to answer some questions relating from the video.

Declaration of Independence

• What does declare mean?

To announce, to say it aloud.

• What does independent mean?

Free from control, to not rely on someone else, and not in anyone’s authority. 

• Which country did Aotearoa begin trading with? Why not other countries?

The French and other countries tried to trade and didn’t go well. It was the British that Māori traded with successfully and peacefully.

• What is the Treaty of Waitangi?

A Treaty of Waitangi was signed on 6 February 1840 between the representatives of the British Crown and the Māori chiefs in Waitangi. It takes the name from the place where it was first signed. The main purpose of this treaty was to protect the Māori culture and enable Māori to continue living in New Zealand as Māori. Simultaneously, the Treaty gave the Crown the right to govern the nation and represent the interests of all New Zealanders. This treaty included the 3 principles of partnership, participation, and protection.  

However, after the signing of the treaty, the land was lost through a combination of private and Government purchases, outright confiscation, and Native Land Court practices that made it difficult for Māori to maintain their land under traditional ownership structures. Also, there were purchases of Māori land prior to the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.

• What is the Declaration of Independence?

The declaration of independence was signed in 1835 by 35 Rangatira (Māori leaders) and four British residents. It proclaimed the sovereign independence of New Zealand before the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840.

Māori Values: Treaty of Waitangi | Social Studies

Welcome to another post. Around two weeks ago, in Social Studies, we looked at Māori values in the new topic: Treaty of Waitangi and had to write down (in our own words), what is Mana, Tapu and Utu. 

What is Mana?

Mana often referred to as (social) status, is when a person, with mana, had a presence. Rangatira (chiefs) in particular, recognised the need to keep their mana as high as possible.

Mana is influenced by the behaviour of people and groups and was found through achievements and successes. Māori defended their mana in everyday matter and tried to enhance their mana whenever possible.

The control over European traders (and after 1814 missionaries) became a phase of pursuit of mana. Rivals were not allowed to reap the advantages of access to these new arrivals without a challenge.

What is Tapu?

The life of a Māori has been restricted by the placing of tapu on people and places. It is controlled by how people behave towards each other and the environment; this has been protecting people and the natural environment.

Something that is disrespectful - sitting on tables

What is Utu?

Utu, or referred to as ‘revenge’, has a broader meaning: the preservation of balance and harmony within society.

Utu is the form of gift exchange that established and maintained social connections and responsibility.

How could these values cause conflict with Europeans?

The idea of mana, tapu and utu were sources of both order and conflict with the Māori society.

The Boyd Incident: Treaty of Waitangi | Social Studies

Welcome to another post. For the past two lessons in Social Studies, we looked at the Boyd incident and answered some questions relating to the two perspective articles.

Full story: The Boyd incident - A frontier of chaos? 

Article 1:

December 1809.

Long story short: European people assaulted a Māori chief. In response, the Māori got revenge by attacking the European ship’s captain. (Utu - balance, revenge)

- Te Pahi (a Māori man who had been with the Europeans to Australia to set up trade) came to stop the violence and rescue the European people. Sadly, the European people blamed Te Pahi and killed him, too.

What are your thoughts? What do you wonder?

Not that many thoughts, but it is sad how Te Pahi was blamed without any reason when he was with the Europeans trading.

Article 2:

How the Boyd (name of the ship) Incident used to be told:

The Boyd was attacked in 1809 by a Māori tribe. The ship captain and crew were violently attacked.

Travel advisory

For some Europeans, the Boyd incident put New Zealand in the ‘avoid if at all possible’ category. A pamphlet circulating in Europe warned sailors off the ‘Cannibal Isles’ - ‘touch not that cursed shore lest you these Cannibals pursue’.

How was the story different (what’s missing)? Why do you think it was told this way?

This story is told from the European’s perspective, whereas the story told earlier was told from both Māori and European perspectives. Also, Te Pahi was missing from the story.

I think the Europeans told this story, showing the negative about the Māori, making them the villains, and not telling the whole story. The European story didn’t tell that the Europeans first attacked them first, and shows that the Māori attacked them without any reason.

Māori Gods and Deities: Treaty of Waitangi | Social Studies

Welcome to another post. In Social Studies, we moved on from World at War to a new topic: Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti o Te Waitangi. A few lessons ago, we were looking at Māori gods and deities. One of the tasks given was to create a poster of one of the Māori deities given. 

Here is the poster I've created.