Lecture 12: Treaty of Waitangi I

Question 1

What is the Māori name for the Declaration of Independence?

Answer 1

He Whakaputanga o te Rangatira o Nu Tireni.

Question 2

When was the Declaration of Independence signed?

Answer 2

28 October 1835

Question 3

Where was the Declaration of Independence signed?

Answer 3

at the home of James Busby in Waitangi

Question 4

How many chiefs signed the original document in 1835?

Answer 4

34

These chiefs were mainly from the North

Question 5

How many articles did the Declaration of Independence have?

Answer 5

4

Question 6

What did He Whakaputanga assert?

Answer 6

That mana and sovereign power resided with Māori and foreigners could not make laws.

Question 7

What was Te Whakaminenga?

Answer 7

The Confederation of United Tribes

Question 8

What did the Decleration of Independence do?

Answer 8

Meet at Waitangi each autumn to frame laws

Question 9

What did the chiefs request in return for protecting British subjects?

Answer 9

They sought King William’s protection against threats to their mana

Question 10

By 1839, how many chiefs had signed the Declaration?

Answer 10

52 chiefs, including Te Hāpuku and Te Wherowhero (the first Māori King).

Question 11

How did James Busby view the Declaration?

Answer 11

As a significant step toward Māori national identity and a way to prevent foreign treaties.

Question 12

Why is He Whakaputanga considered a Northern Māori story?

Answer 12

Because most signatories were from the north, and every region in NZ has its own Treaty story.

Question 13

What was the Elizabeth Affair (1830)?

Answer 13

Te Rauparaha used a British ship to capture Ngāi Tahu rangatira Te Maiharanui, who was later killed.

Question 14

What impact did the Elizabeth Affair have?

Answer 14

It increased prominence of Otago/Southland rangatira and led to British public outrage over cannibalism.

Question 15

What impact did the Elizabeth Affair (1830) have in Britain?

Answer 15

Public pressure on the British government to intervene in NZ.

Question 16

Who was the captain of the Elizabeth and what happened to him?

Answer 16

He avoided trial despite his role in the affair.

Question 17

Who advocated for action from the Colonial Office after the Elizabeth Affair (1830)?

Answer 17

Rev. Samuel Marsden and Governor Bourke.

Question 18

When was James Busby appointed British Resident in the Bay of Islands?

Answer 18

May 1833

Based at Waitangi

Question 19

What was Busby’s role as British Resident?

Answer 19

Protect settlers, prevent European violence against Māori, and apprehend convicts.

Question 20

What key limitations did Busby face?

Answer 20

He was given no resources to enforce these duties.

Question 21

Why did Busby think Māori should align with Britain?

Answer 21

To avoid foreign (especially French) influence - he used propaganda and fear

He was starting to align Britain with the Rangatira

Question 22

When was the national flag chosen?

Answer 22

20 March 1834, at a hui of chiefs at Waitangi.

Question 23

How many total rangatira eventually signed the Declaration of Indepedence?

Answer 23

52

Question 24

What did the signatories pledge?

Answer 24

To meet in annual congress at Waitangi.

Question 25

When was the Waitangi Tribunal established?

Answer 25

In 1975, under the Treaty of Waitangi Act.

Question 26

Where is the Tribunal based?

Answer 26

Wellington, New Zealand.

Question 27

What does the Tribunal do?

Answer 27

It hears grievances related to Treaty of Waitangi breaches and makes recommendations (non-binding).

Question 28

What led to the formation of the Tribunal?

Answer 28

Ongoing dissatisfaction with Treaty breaches and inaction, especially highlighted by the 1975 Māori Land March.

Question 29

What law established the Tribunal?

Answer 29

The Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975