Waitangisopimus

The Treaty of Waitangi, or Waitangisopimus in Māori, is a foundational document of New Zealand. Signed on February 6, 1840, at Waitangi in the Bay of Islands, it was an agreement between representatives of the British Crown and Māori chiefs. The treaty was written in both English and Māori, and there are significant differences in interpretation between the two versions.

The English version grants sovereignty to the British Crown, while the Māori version, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, is often interpreted as granting the Crown governance (kāwanatanga) over the land, while guaranteeing Māori continued chieftainship (tino rangatiratanga) over their lands, villages, and treasures. This discrepancy has been a source of much debate and contention throughout New Zealand's history.

The treaty's signing was intended to establish British authority and regulate settlement. However, misunderstandings and differing interpretations led to conflict and disputes over land and rights. In the latter half of the 20th century, there was a growing recognition of the treaty's importance and the injustices that had occurred. This led to the establishment of the Waitangi Tribunal in 1975, tasked with investigating claims of breaches of the treaty by the Crown.

The Waitangi Tribunal's findings and recommendations have led to various settlements and a greater acknowledgment of Māori rights and culture within New Zealand society. The treaty continues to be a subject of ongoing discussion and legal interpretation, remaining central to the relationship between Māori and the Crown and shaping the nation's identity.