The Treaty Of Waitangi

Have you ever heard of The Treaty Of Waitangi? Well if you haven’t you are going to find out.

There was a contract between the Maori and the British. James Busby a british man had given Hone Heke a letter saying, “There is a Treaty being written and we were wondering if you would sign it?” William Hobson had worked for the queen in the Britain.

The Treaty was about making peace and and quiet between the British and the Maori. They wanted to make peace because there were too many bad things going. Like prisoners were in prison in Britain, then the queen decided to take them to Australia. But unfortunately prisoners had escaped and came to New Zealand, Bay Of Islands. For example they were smashing bottles and throwing rubbish everywhere. The Maori’s did not approve of this.

So Hone Heke decided he wanted to put a stop to this. So he went to see William Hobson’s mate who wrote the Treaty and say I will be signing the Treaty. Hobson’s mate said it will be ready by the 6th of February. The days passed by and it was February the 6th. James Busby had translated it with his son. Then it was ready.

Approximately 50 Rangatira (Chiefs) had gathered around to sign the Treaty. Hone Heke was the first one to sign. The other Chiefs had then signed Moko as their signature.