The Treaty of Waitangi was signed here February 6th 1840 by Captain William Hobson, several English residents, and between 43 and 46 Māori rangatira (chiefs).
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The Treaty, signed between the Maori and the British created the country of New Zealand as a part of the British Empire.
The Treaty placed the new country under one rule. However, it had two texts, one in English and the other in the Maori language (te reo Māori). Te reo Maori differed from English in that it had no word that translated literally to sovereignty. The word used in the Maori text translates to governance.
The Maoris signed believing that they were relinquishing governance to the British, but not title to the land. This is the basis of a controversy which remains unresolved at the time of this writing.
The treaty grounds has a number of key elements.
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This was the residence of “British Resident” James Busby and his family from 1833 to the signing in 1840. Busby, William Hobson, and Hobson’s Secretary James Stuart Freeman co-authored the English treaty. The Maori translation was completed by Henry Williams (missionary) and his son Edward the evening before the signing.
The signing took place February 5 and 6, 1840 on the lawn outside the house. Following the signing this became known as the “Treaty House”.
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Te Rao Aroha museum opened in 2020 in honour of a mobile canteen of the same name purchased in New Zealand by donations from children in Maori schools and sent to support Maori servicemen active in WW II.
The museum chronicles Maori participation in WW II. Among other things, it documents efforts by Maori servicemen to use their service to achieve equality as NZ citizens for the Maori peoples as a whole, a goal apparently yet to be achieved.
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Te Whare Runanga, the traditional meeting house. This differs from other whare in that the carved panels inside represent all Māori tribes in New Zealand. Normally te whares represent local styles.
Our entry to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds included a guided tour and a cultural experience, the latter of which happened at the whare. In Maori culture, the presenter represents a tribe and presents as chief of that tribe. The audience is expected to present as a tribe, and to appoint a chief to respond to the Maori welcoming.
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This is me being elected chief.
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This is the pōwhiri, or traditional Maori welcoming ceremony. In this ceremony, a Maori warrior lays a rautapu (a symbolic offering – often a small branch) on the ground. The placement of the rautapu involved a dance with a combination of threatening and conciliatory gestures.
The rautapu is visible in front of my feet. As chief of the visitors, it was my role to pick it up, symbolizing that we came in peace. With that done, we were invited inside for the performance.
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Once inside, the Maori chief makes a gracious speech welcoming us as visitors. My role as chief for the day is to make remarks in response to his welcome.
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Here I’m being briefed on how my response should be structured and delivered. That’s the look of me really concentrating!
I thanked him for his welcome, and told him that our tribe had travelled many miles and many hours from locations far and wide to assemble before him today. I said we were honoured by his gracious welcome and his tribe’s hospitality and were looking forward to the performance.
With me as chief for the day, we were seated front row centre.
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The presentation began with song and dance. The guitar player was very good and the singers presented great harmonies.
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Overall, it was quite a joyous event.
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Song and dance was followed up with group juggling, which their chief told us was a common tribal ceremony. Historically it had been used to sharpen their dexterity skills with the purpose of assisting teamwork in battle.
Multiple batons were flying through the air simultaneously, criss-crossing as they went. No baton collisions occurred, and every catch was completed without fail.
This was amazing!
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Our welcoming ceremony was followed with an equally expressive parting photo!
Our plan following the Waitangi Treaty Grounds was based on heading north to Cape Reinga. We were on the heals of several long days on the road jammed in between large and often multiple events. Cape Reinga was appealing, but it was two long days on the road.
The sight of the peaceful little village of Russell across the bay was irresistible! R&R!