Comparing two versions of a treaty | Social Studies

What did the Treaty of Waitangi say?

Using the two versions of the Treaty - the Treaty of Waitangi and Te Tiriti o Waitangi - and the main point(s) for each Article, discuss in pairs what the main differences are and then explain them in the following spaces. Then reflect on why you think these differences in perspectives on the Treaty would cause conflict between Māori and Pākehā.

People in our group (names): Jaime

Article 1

Key Differences: 

The European or English version of the treaty states that the British monarchy/government has complete control over New Zealand and the Māori that inhabit the land. 

Whereas the Māori version of the treaty states otherwise; that the Europeans have some power, but not all, stating that Māori still had control over their tribes in New Zealand. 

Perspectives Causing Conflict: 

From the British perspective: if the Māori were to follow a different version of the supposed treaty, the British may think they were being disobeyed and disputes may begin between cultures.
From the Māori perspective: If the British were to disrespect the Māori treaty stating independent control over their tribes, the Māori may think the British were trying to overrule them and disputes may begin. 

Article 2

Key Differences: 

In Article 2 of the English treaty, it is stated that Māori are guaranteed the possession of land, estates, forests, fisheries, and other properties, and the British Crown has the pre-emptive right to buy Māori land: ultimately this means the Māori cannot sell land to anyone but the British government.

On the other hand, in Article 2 of the Māori treaty, Maori had ownership over their land, villages, possessions, everything they treasure, and if they wanted to sell it but got denied, the Māori could sell it to someone else. 

Perspectives Causing Conflict:  

There are key differences in this, each can cause conflict. If the Māori were to sell land to another country apart from Britain, Britain could take it further and accuse the Māori of disobeying them, although the Māori were unsuspecting of any punishment that may occur. 

Article 3

Key Differences: 

In the English treaty, it is stated that Māori have the same rights as British citizens of that time.

In the Maori treaty, the main point states that the British will protect Maori and have the same rights as the British. 

There are subtle differences: one being that the British will protect the Māori in the Māori treaty, whereas in the English that is not specifically stated. 

Perspectives Causing Conflict: 

The British do not have an obligation to protect the Maori legally as it is not in the English treaty: the Māori do not think the same as it is stated that the British government will protect their country. If the British do not protect the Māori in some form, the Māori will think that they are not meeting the expectations of the treaty and disputes may begin.