the treaty of Waitangi as a source of New Zealand Law

Treaty of Waitangi

Treaty of Waitangi

At around 1830 's there were about 120 ,000 Maori aborigines in New Zealand , added with around 2000 settlers from other places . There was an influx of immigrants at that time . Because of that efforts for negotiation between the Maori and the British government were made After that , several instructions regarding the issue were given to the person in charge for the country at that time

The instructions given were for the interests of the Aborigines of the country , wherein all transactions and important dealings

with their land should be done with utmost sincerity , justice and good faith . It is also necessary that governing these transactions should include the proper recognition of the Sovereign British power at that time . Since it is for their interests , they should not be permitted to engage in various contracts or dealings that they could not be aware of , so that further dangers and injuries could be avoided because of their ignorance . This includes the purchase of territory that is held as essential for the sake of the aborigines

Their comfort , safety and subsistence are one of the top priorities to consider . This means that if ever the British government would deem the need to acquire land , the ones that they will get are those who are not that substantive to the natives , without causing further inconvenience to these people . This task is placed as one of the primary tasks by the official protector of the country , the ones delegated by the British government to act as the head at that time

The treaty of Waitangi was then signed on the sixth of February , 1840 at the Waitangi Bay of Islands by Hobson , wherein there were several English inhabitants . There were also 45 Maori representatives who took part in the creation of the treaty , which was then passed around the Northland to acquire additional Maori signatures all over the country After the year has ended , there were more than 500 Maori signatures gathered

The Treaty of Waitangi is mainly composed of two different texts , which are the Maori and the English . But the English version or text is not necessarily the exact translation of the Maori text , hence it has been agreed to recognize both . This is because in essence , they contain similar things , wherein it places an agreement that the Maori has given the right of governance to the British Crown , making it as a British settlement or colony . On the other hand , the British Crown is the ones who are responsible to protect the interests of the Maori , giving them full protection of the rights , their interests , status and citizenship

In the treaty , it was stated that the British intentions are primarily to protect the Maori interests even though there is the settlement of the British . Another is to be able to provide British settlement , and lastly was to be able to develop or establish a government that would be able to maintain peace and all...