Crystal Walker

MAOR5050 Understanding Te Ao Maori

Chapter 14: Te Tiriti o Waitangi

From this reading I made the following observations and recognized them to
be significant. I find the 4th article added by the catholic bishop Jean
Baptist Pompallier to be interesting. The governor says that the several
faiths or beliefs of England, of the Wesleyans, of Rome and also of Maori
custom shall alike be protected by him. In summery this states the freedom
to practice religion and beliefs under the protection of the law. A bi-cultural
country where native and non-native beliefs are equally accepted. This
section is not officially recognized as part of the treaty and there is mixed
information around whether it should be. Most information found online
acknowledging the 4th article tend to be from organizations and people who
follow the Catholic faith and often it is referred to as a verbal agreement.
However if in fact is was part of the signing my personal reflection of this is
that it has not been upheld. There are many aspects of culture and belief
within Maori that have been oppressed and are not recognized as being
correct or are against the common law in todays society.
Partnership: Article one
In this article of the treaty it describes the queens responsibility to maintain
order and peace and that she has sovereignty over the country, however in
the Maori translation there is no word for this and it is translated to mean
otherwise. I cannot comprehend how this transliteration is still bound as our
countrys founding article and holds up in a court of law as true and
transparent when there is so many language misinterpretations. Many
English words had no Maori equivalent at the time of the signing and this has
now resulted in the many wars and settlements claims we face today. It is
apparent that article one and four are the most controversial due to the
hearsay, misinterpretations and lack of substantial evidence on the fourth
articles existence.

Crystal Walker
MAOR5050 Understanding Te Ao Maori

Participation: Article two

States that full possessions of land, fisheries and things held dare are still
owned by Maori. However Maori have to offer land titles to the crown first if
ever the land is to be sold. Due to the increasing populations and
colonization of New Zealand a large amount of pressure was being forced
upon Maori and in some cases it was a necessity to sell their land in order to
survive.
By these terms they were forced into the sale of land and in some situations
under very unfair circumstances, resulting in a loss of land and a huge
change in social structure.
Protection: Article 3
Explains that the same rights and protection is shared for British settlers and
Maori. The queen protects all of New Zealand and the laws apply to all
equally. Through the trade industry many Maori had travelled to other parts
of the world, in particular Australia. The Aborigines refused this protection
from the queen and as a result were oppressed and extradited from their
lands. In my personal reflection of this article I wonder if this was an offer of
protection or a threat should Maori not adhere to the terms of the crown.

Reference:
Moorfield, T. M., Moorfield, J. C., Reilly, M. P., & Mosley, S. (2004). Ki te Whaiao : An
Introduction to
Maori Culture & Society.