Lecture Notes: Declaration of Independence of the United Tribes of New Zealand

Overview

• In 1835, the Declaration of Independence of the United Tribes of New Zealand was signed.
• This was five years before the Treaty of Waitangi.
• The Declaration kept Maori sovereignty but allowed exclusive trade with the British.
• This document marked the first step toward Maori unification.

Historical Context

• Encounters with the French made Maori keen to befriend the British.
• In 1835, 13 Ngapuhi rangatira wrote to the British King asking for protection from other countries.

Creation and Signing

• James Busby, British resident in New Zealand, facilitated the creation of the Declaration.
• A flag was needed for trading ships to avoid seizure by Australian customs.
• 25 rangatira (chiefs) and their followers voted on a flag and signed the Declaration on October 28, 1835.

Main Points of the Declaration

1. Maori declared themselves as having supreme authority over the country (mana i te whenua).
2. New Zealand was declared independent under the United Tribes of New Zealand.
3. An agreement to meet annually to frame laws and regulations.
4. A request for the British King to be a protector and acknowledgment of his approval of their flag.

Impact and Legacy

• Initially, not much changed after signing the Declaration, but it was significant for legal terms in trade.
• The Declaration had to be considered during the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840.
• Not all who signed the Declaration signed the Treaty; some notable chiefs refused.
• The Declaration is considered different from the Treaty in terms of sovereignty.

Differences Between the Declaration and the Treaty

• Maori and British versions of the Treaty of Waitangi differed significantly.
• The Treaty gave Queen Victoria sovereignty but this concept was foreign to Maori.
• Contemporary arguments exist about the interpretation of these documents.

Notable Events Post-Declaration

• Flagpole at Waitangi cut down by Hone Heke in 1845, signaling the start of the New Zealand Wars.
• This event marked a significant point in New Zealand history.

Current Status

• The Declaration, Treaty of Waitangi, and 1893 Women’s Suffrage Petition are displayed in the National Library of New Zealand in Wellington.
• Raises awareness about the historical significance of the Declaration alongside other pivotal documents.

Conclusion

• The Declaration of Independence of the United Tribes of New Zealand is a critical document in the history of Maori-British relations.
• It represents Maori’s initial steps to unify and navigate international relations.