Te Tiriti o Waitangi

In Europe, factions debated the future of Aotearoa, while Māori had their own ideas how to handle the growing number of Pākehā here. In the end, Te Tiriti o Waitangi was signed, but the early promise leads ultimately to war.

In part four, Māori and Pākehā wrestle with how to share Aotearoa, the New Zealand Company is formed and Te Tiriti o Waitangi is signed. But before long disputes arise, prompting the Wairau Affray and Northern War.

Watch the video version of the episode here

Topics covered:

• Frustration over Pākehā behaviour at Kororāreka/Russell
• The foundation of the United Tribes of New Zealand and their declaration of independence
• Outline of the different European factions - the French, Wakefield and the NZ Company, the British Colonial Office, Missionaries and British humanitarian movements
• The signing of the Treaty and problems with translation, including some possible explanations for the mistranslation.
• The Wairau Affray.
• Hōne Heke, Te Ruki Kawiti and the chopping down of the flagstaff at Russell
• The Northern War, including discussions of Māori "trench warfare" and why some Māori chose to fight alongside the British.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details