TRETY OF WAITANGI

On February 5th in 1840, ships came at New Zealand. They had different national flags and they came from Europe. Of course, they are Europeans. The reason why European came in New Zealand was to get the land. They wanted to own NZ by themselves. It is TRETY OF WAITANGI.

Captain Hobson had been sent by the British government to persuade Maoris. He tried to talk with Maori. Its content was Great Britain should take over the job of governing the northern part of NZ. But Maori would get to keep their lands and property. In addition, they would have the rights and privileges of Britain subjects. Then he claimed the South Island because Captain Cook who came from Britain had been the first to land there.

Henry Williams translated Maori to English from Hobson’s story. But Maori and English are very different meanings. This is an example, “kawanatanga” to describe the British government ruling over NZ.


Maori chief reject the signing to keep their lands and Maori’s language was changed the meanings by Henry Williams’s translations. But Finally, Hobson was a negotiator between Maori and Europeans. The word was “new government would protect their lands.” One Maori’s chief answered “Well.” As a result of this, February 6th in 1840, some Maori’s chief signed TRETY OF WAITANGI. They are given tobacco by European because Maori agreed with them. It is called TRETY OF WAITANGI.