Stuff You Missed in History Class: SYMHC Classics – Treaty of Waitangi

Release Date: November 23, 2024
Hosts: Holly Frey and Tracy V. Wilson
Produced by iHeartPodcasts

Introduction to the Treaty of Waitangi

In the latest episode of Stuff You Missed in History Class, hosts Holly Frey and Tracy V. Wilson delve deep into the historical and contemporary significance of the Treaty of Waitangi, a pivotal document in New Zealand's history. The episode gains immediate relevance as recent events, including Maori MP Hanarahiti Maipe Clark's haka at a parliamentary vote, have thrust the treaty back into the international spotlight.

Tracy V. Wilson [02:00]: "The Treaty of Waitangi became international news late last week after Maori MP Hanarahiti Maipe Clark started a haka at the end of a vote on the Treaty Principles Bill."

Historical Context and Early Interactions

The episode begins by setting the stage in the early 19th century, highlighting the initial European encounters with New Zealand. Dutch explorer Abel Tasman first sighted New Zealand in 1642, followed by James Cook's cabin boy, Young Nick, in 1769. However, significant European settlement began slowly, primarily consisting of whalers, sealers, and missionaries.

Holly Frey [06:47]: "Dutch explorer Abel Tasman first sighted New Zealand in 1642, and then James Cook's cabin boy, who was called Young Nick, spotted it again in 1769."

By the 1830s, the Maori population stood at approximately 125,000, with British settlers viewing New Zealand as a frontier outpost of New South Wales, a British penal colony.

James Busby and the Declaration of Independence

As European presence grew, so did the need for governance. In 1835, James Busby was appointed as the British Resident in New Zealand, tasked with maintaining order and protecting Maori interests against other European powers, notably France.

Holly Frey [10:10]: "He was there to represent the Crown, that was his job. But he really didn't have any actual power and he had almost no support from the British government. So consequently, people called him the man o war without guns."

One of Busby's significant, albeit unauthorized, acts was drafting the Declaration of Independence of the Northern Chiefs. This document proclaimed New Zealand as a sovereign nation under Maori chiefs, aiming to prevent French colonization.

Tracy V. Wilson [09:40]: "He really didn't have any actual power and he had almost no support from the British government. So consequently, people called him the man o war without guns."

The Treaty Negotiations and Signing

In 1839, the British government dispatched William Hobson to New Zealand with clear instructions emphasizing sincerity, justice, and good faith in dealings with the Maori. Unlike many colonial treaties, the Treaty of Waitangi was intended to respect Maori autonomy while establishing British sovereignty.

Tracy V. Wilson [17:02]: "All dealings with the Aborigines for their lands must be conducted on the same principles of sincerity, justice, justice and good faith as must govern your transactions with them for the recognition of Her Majesty's sovereignty in these islands."

Hobson, along with his secretary James Freeman and James Busby, hurried to draft the treaty, culminating in the first signing on February 6, 1840, at Busby's home. Chief Hone Heke was instrumental in securing additional signatories, recognizing the treaty as a means to protect Maori interests against external threats.

Holly Frey [20:33]: "The first to sign was a chief named Hone Heke, who was also called Hone Pokai, and he felt a treaty with the British was their best option."

In total, over 500 Maori signed the treaty, including 13 women, predominantly under the assurance of land and resource protections.

Discrepancies Between English and Maori Texts

A critical discussion in the episode centers on the significant differences between the English and Maori versions of the treaty, which have led to enduring debates over its true intent and implications.

Tracy V. Wilson [27:54]: "So Article 1 of the English version, the Maori chiefs are ceding, quote, the rights and powers of sovereignty to the Queen of England. But in the Maori translation, the word sovereignty was translated to a word that's closer to governorship, which is a much less encompassing concept than sovereignty."

These discrepancies have fueled contention, with Maori interpreting the treaty as granting them continued self-governance, while the English version imposed full British sovereignty. The rushed translation process, led by missionary Henry Williams and his son Edward, has been scrutinized for potential misinterpretations or deliberate alterations.

Holly Frey [31:17]: "There's also a big subject of speculation around how much the British signatories were even aware that these discrepancies existed."

Aftermath and Long-Term Implications

Following the treaty's signing, New Zealand officially became a British colony, leading to a surge in European settlement and subsequent land disputes. Key figures like Hone Heke became disillusioned, leading to protests such as the repeated cutting down of British flagpoles.

Tracy V. Wilson [33:40]: "In the 1850s, the European settlers in New Zealand established their own government. And in 1853, the first parliament convened in New Zealand. But at that point the Maori were completely excluded from holding seats or from voting."

Over time, measures were introduced to include Maori in governance, culminating in the establishment of the Waitangi Tribunal in 1975, which investigates breaches of the treaty. The tribunal's scope was later expanded to address historical grievances dating back to 1840.

Holly Frey [35:33]: "In 1975, the Waitangi Tribunal was established and this investigates claims by Maori on breaches of the treaty."

Modern-Day Relevance and Legacy

Today, the Treaty of Waitangi remains a cornerstone of New Zealand's legal and cultural landscape. It underscores the country's commitment to biculturalism, with Maori having designated seats in Parliament and recognition of Maori language and customs.

Holly Frey [35:47]: "New Zealand has grown into a parliamentary democracy with three official languages, English, Maori and sign language."

However, debates continue regarding the effectiveness of Maori seats in Parliament and whether they provide adequate representation or inadvertently perpetuate division.

Tracy V. Wilson [34:38]: "There's a lot of debate about whether having specifically Maori seats are whether that's a good thing or a bad thing."

The episode concludes by reflecting on the Treaty of Waitangi as a progressive, albeit imperfect, attempt at forging a partnership between colonizing powers and indigenous peoples, highlighting its enduring impact on New Zealand's identity.

Holly Frey [38:03]: "And this story is also sort of a nice snapshot of how issues of government can become extremely complex. You know, based on one thing like that, one translation led to a great deal of discussion and all of these sort of bizarre layers of government that happened as a consequence."

Conclusion

Holly and Tracy offer a nuanced perspective on the Treaty of Waitangi, acknowledging its groundbreaking nature while also critiquing its shortcomings. The episode serves as a comprehensive guide for listeners to understand the complexities surrounding the treaty and its lasting significance in shaping New Zealand's socio-political fabric.

Tracy V. Wilson [37:11]: "I like this story because it does represent such a big step forward in relationships between colonial governments and indigenous peoples. But at the same time, like, it's not perfect and there's still colonialism happening in this whole situation."

For those interested in further exploring the Treaty of Waitangi and its implications, subscribe to Stuff You Missed in History Class on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred podcast platform.