The Status and Nature of the Treaty of Waitangi

Abstract

Do we need a written constitution? Should it include the Treaty of Waitangi? As to the status of the Treaty, at this time, these are the wrong questions. The Treaty of Waitangi is about a relationship, a partnership. This essay considers the evolving nature of that relationship, from its emphasis on disparity and equal rights in the middle of last century, to indigeneity and the “original sin” more recently. Toady, although the acceptance and promotion of Māori culture and language provide reasons to be positive, the relationship is still settler-native rather than a true partnership. Accordingly, the real question is not what we should do with the Treaty of Waitangi, but how do we perfect that partnership? Only then can we answer the two questions above. E aku rangatira tena koutou katoa. My chiefs, greetings. Tena tātou e hui nei i raro i te tuanui I offer my respects as we gather o tenei whare ātaahua, whare runaga beneath the ridgepole of this beautiful whare whakawhitiwhiti kōrero. He house of deliberation and debate. nohanga hoki no ngā ariki Māori i o It was in its time, the seat of my most ratou na wa, tae atu ki te Kingi Māori noble ancestors, even the Māori King ano hoki. Kei te orooro tonu o ratou himself. Their voices echo still. Their reo i roto nei. Kei te iri tonu o ratou words still hang from its rafters. kupu. Otira, he honore nui moku ki te tu i It is therefore a great privilege to be roto nei, ki mua i a koutou. asked to address you here, in this place.