Te Tiriti o Waitangi / The Treaty of Waitangi – our founding document
Te Tiriti o Waitangi, also known as the Treaty of Waitangi (‘te Tiriti’), is Aotearoa New Zealand’s founding document. It establishes the basis for an ongoing partnership between Māori and the Crown, recognising the unique and special place of Māori as tangata whenua (the indigenous people of this land). Te Tiriti represents an exchange of promises. Rangatira (Māori chiefs) agreed to share power and authority with the Governor of the time (in 1840), who represented the British Crown. Each agreed to operate within their own sphere of influence. In return, the Crown guaranteed Māori the same rights as British citizens, and agreed to protect their rangatiratanga – Māori authority, independence, and self-determination – over their iwi (tribes), hapū (sub-tribes), lands, resources, and taonga (treasures, both tangible and intangible).
Today, Te Tiriti is reflected in New Zealand law through a set of guiding principles. These principles help apply the original intent of Te Tiriti to modern times. They also help to bridge the differences between the Māori and English versions of the text, and make sure Te Tiriti stays relevant in today’s Aotearoa.
Te Tiriti is sometimes described as Aotearoa New Zealand’s first immigration document – an agreement that allowed new settlers to live in Aotearoa under the protection of Māori.
Where to learn more about Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Online resources:
- Learn about Te Tiriti o Waitangi in your language | Tangata Tiriti / Treaty People
- Te Tiriti o Waitangi – the Treaty of Waitangi – Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand
- Treaty of Waitangi | NZ History
- The Treaty of Waitangi | Te Papa
- Te Tiriti o Waitangi | The Aotearoa History Show | RNZ (You Tube video)
- Treaty Talks | RNZ
- Join a talk or workshop in the community: there are many opportunities to learn about te Tiriti and its relevance to modern day Aucklanders. Check Our Auckland and your local marae, library or community centre social media pages.
Enrol in a course to learn about tikanga Māori (Māori values and customary practices) and Aotearoa New Zealand history at:
Te Tiriti in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
Te Tiriti o Waitangi is especially significant to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, because it is home to the largest Māori population in New Zealand. Alongside Māori iwi and hapū with ancestral connections to the region, many mātāwaka (Māori whose ancestors come from other parts of the country) also call Auckland home.
As Aotearoa New Zealand’s founding document, Te Tiriti o Waitangi is part of the identity of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, reflecting the city’s unique cultural and historical beginnings.
Across the region, many iwi have settled historic Treaty of Waitangi claims with the Crown (New Zealand Government), or are working towards this. These settlements aim to make up for the loss of land, resources, and autonomy Māori have experienced over the years due to the Crown not honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi. To learn more about Treaty settlements, visit Te Tari Whakatau / The Office of Treaty Settlements and Takutai Moana.
Auckland Council works with mana whenua and mātaawaka in partnership to help make decisions that are important to Māori.
For example:
- The Tūpuna Maunga Authority governs 14 maunga (ancestral mountains) across the city. The Authority has equal membership from the Tāmaki Collective (a group of 13 iwi and hapū), and Auckland Council.
These maunga (mountains) hold immense cultural, historical, and spiritual importance for iwi and are cherished by all Aucklanders. Learn more about the significance of these mountains at www.maunga.nz.
- Mana whenua and Auckland Council are working together to return or gift Māori names to community parks and facilities under a programme called Te Kete Rukuruku.
Learn about the names of your local parks and landmarks, and the stories associated with these names. These are gradually being displayed on signage, and on the council’s website.
