The English Text of the Treaty of Waitangi

  • ISBN #9781990046537
  • Ned Fletcher
  • Hardback
  • Ships in 3-10 days
  • Ships in 3-10 days

The English Text of the Treaty of Waitangi

  • ISBN #9781990046537
  • Ned Fletcher
  • Hardback
  • Ships in 3-10 days
  • Ships in 3-10 days

$60.86 ex GST

How was the English text of the Treaty of Waitangi understood by the British in 1840? With one exception, the Treaty sheets signed by rangatira and British officials were in te reo Maori.
  • Product Details
  • Delivery & Returns
  • How was the English text of the Treaty of Waitangi understood by the British in 1840? That is the question addressed by historian and lawyer Ned Fletcher, in this extensive work. With one exception, the Treaty sheets signed by rangatira and British officials were in te reo Maori. The Maori text, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, was a translation by the missionary Henry Williams of a draft in English provided by William Hobson, the Consul sent by the British government to negotiate with Maori. Despite considerable scholarly attention to the Treaty, the English text has been little studied. In part, this is because the original English draft exists only in fragments in the archive; it has long been regarded as lost or 'unknowable', and in any event superseded by the authoritative Maori text. Now, through careful archival research, Fletcher has been able to set out the continuing relevance of the English text. The English Text of the Treaty of Waitangi emphasises that the original drafting of the Treaty by British officials in 1840 cannot be separated from the wider circumstances of that time. This context encompasses the history of British dealings with indigenous peoples throughout the Empire and the currents of thought in the mid-nineteenth century, a period of rapid change in society and knowledge. It also includes the backgrounds and motivations of those primarily responsible for framing the Treaty: British Resident James Busby, Consul and future Lieutenant-Governor William Hobson, and Colonial Office official James Stephen. Through groundbreaking scholarship, Fletcher concludes that the Maori and English texts of the Treaty reconcile, and that those who framed the English text intended Maori to have continuing rights to self-government (rangatiratanga) and ownership of their lands. This original understanding of the Treaty, however, was then lost in the face of powerful forces in the British Empire post-1840, as hostility towards indigenous peoples grew alongside increased intolerance of plural systems of government. The English Text of the Treaty of Waitangi enriches our understanding of the original purpose and vision of Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi and its foundational role in Aotearoa New Zealand.
    • Format: Hardback
    • Publication Date: 05/09/2022
    • Publisher: Bridget Williams Books
    • Country of Origin: New Zealand
    • Pages: 736
  • There is no Handling & Delivery cost for orders over $50 ex GST unless there are large items in your order.

    Orders under $50 (ex GST) & excluding Gift Card only orders :
    $6.00 ex GST ($6.90 incl GST)
    Surcharge for Rural Delivery addresses $3.13 ex GST ($3.60 incl GST) for orders under $50 ex GST
    Orders with only Gift cards under $50 are charged $2.52 ex GST ($2.90 incl GST)

    There is no Handling & Delivery cost for eGift card orders.

    Charges for Large or Bulky items . These are indicated by the Large item icon.
    Regardless of total order value: first unit $8.70 ex GST ( $10 incl GST), then every subsequent unit $4.35 ex GST ($5 incl GST)

    Read more about Delivery Information
    Read our Returns and Exchanges Policy

  • Product Details
    How was the English text of the Treaty of Waitangi understood by the British in 1840? That is the question addressed by historian and lawyer Ned Fletcher, in this extensive work. With one exception, the Treaty sheets signed by rangatira and British officials were in te reo Maori. The Maori text, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, was a translation by the missionary Henry Williams of a draft in English provided by William Hobson, the Consul sent by the British government to negotiate with Maori. Despite considerable scholarly attention to the Treaty, the English text has been little studied. In part, this is because the original English draft exists only in fragments in the archive; it has long been regarded as lost or 'unknowable', and in any event superseded by the authoritative Maori text. Now, through careful archival research, Fletcher has been able to set out the continuing relevance of the English text. The English Text of the Treaty of Waitangi emphasises that the original drafting of the Treaty by British officials in 1840 cannot be separated from the wider circumstances of that time. This context encompasses the history of British dealings with indigenous peoples throughout the Empire and the currents of thought in the mid-nineteenth century, a period of rapid change in society and knowledge. It also includes the backgrounds and motivations of those primarily responsible for framing the Treaty: British Resident James Busby, Consul and future Lieutenant-Governor William Hobson, and Colonial Office official James Stephen. Through groundbreaking scholarship, Fletcher concludes that the Maori and English texts of the Treaty reconcile, and that those who framed the English text intended Maori to have continuing rights to self-government (rangatiratanga) and ownership of their lands. This original understanding of the Treaty, however, was then lost in the face of powerful forces in the British Empire post-1840, as hostility towards indigenous peoples grew alongside increased intolerance of plural systems of government. The English Text of the Treaty of Waitangi enriches our understanding of the original purpose and vision of Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi and its foundational role in Aotearoa New Zealand.
    • Format: Hardback
    • Publication Date: 05/09/2022
    • Publisher: Bridget Williams Books
    • Country of Origin: New Zealand
    • Pages: 736
  • Delivery & Returns

You might also like...

The Treaty Of Waitangi: An Ill...

$43.47 ex GST

Ships in 3-10 days

Tiny Statements

$34.77 ex GST

Ships in 3-10 days

The Great War For New Zealand:...

$70.43 ex GST

Ships in 3-10 days

Great Tales From New Zealand H...

$26.08 ex GST

Ships in 3-10 days

Tangata Ngai Tahu / People Of ...

$43.47 ex GST

Ships in 3-10 days

Recently Viewed

The English Text Of The Treaty Of Waitangi

$60.86 ex GST

Ships in 3-10 days

You might also like...

The Treaty Of Waitangi: An Ill...

$43.47 ex GST

Ships in 3-10 days

Tiny Statements

$34.77 ex GST

Ships in 3-10 days

The Great War For New Zealand:...

$70.43 ex GST

Ships in 3-10 days

Great Tales From New Zealand H...

$26.08 ex GST

Ships in 3-10 days

Tangata Ngai Tahu / People Of ...

$43.47 ex GST

Ships in 3-10 days

Recently Viewed

The English Text Of The Treaty Of Waitangi

$60.86 ex GST

Ships in 3-10 days