The Treaty of Waitangi: Framing Immigrants' Occupational Practices in Aotearoa New Zealand

Abstract

Signed in 1840, the Treaty of Waitangi was an agreement between Māori, the indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand, and the British Crown. Consisting of three articles that symbolically represent the values of ‘protection, partnership and participation’ for all peoples in New Zealand, the Treaty is considered New Zealand's founding document. The essence of the Treaty was to establish a partnership that would allow two cultures, Māori and New Zealand/European, to reside side by side in the one country, thus forming the basis of biculturalism. For migrants coming to New Zealand from other parts of the world this socio-political document can both challenge and facilitate the settlement process. On the one hand, immigration policies typically assume one ‘majority’ when considering notions of integration; however under the Treaty, migrants face the challenge of integrating into a society that has two distinct cultures. Concurrently, the Treaty promotes the value and display of cultural difference, thus enabling migrants to engage in occupations that are reflective of their cultural heritage and serve to enhance well-being during the settlement process. This paper considers the socio-political implications of the Treaty of Waitangi, as underpinning the occupational practices of peoples residing in Aotearoa New Zealand.