■ This week local historian Tanja Rother looks at two key events in the history of Ōpōtiki that are relevant to all of us. First, the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi by Whakatōhea rangatira (chiefs) on May 27 and 28, 1840. And secondly, exactly 183 years later, the signing of Te Whakataunga o Te Raupatu Whenua Deed of Settlement (Land Confiscation Settlement), that took place on May 27, 2023.

About 40 chiefs signed the Māori text (Te Tiriti) of the Treaty of Waitangi on 6 February 1840 at Waitangi. Only 39 of the over 500 signatories of the Treaty signed the English version.

This is significant as the two texts differ in meaning.

Crucially, in the Māori text of article 1 of the Treaty, Māori gave the British “kawanatanga”, the right of governance, whereas in the English text, Māori ceded “sovereignty”.

Following the meeting at Waitangi, missionaries, traders and officials took copies of the Treaty to Māori rangatira from the far north to Foveaux Strait.

In Tauranga, missionary James Stack made two handwritten copies of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in early May.

One of these copies became known as the Bay of Plenty (Fedarb) Sheet. This sheet, in Māori, was given to the 23-year old trader, James Fedarb.

Fedarb left Tauranga aboard the Mercury on May 22, sailing around the Bay of Plenty.

After experiencing some wild weather, Fedarb noted in his diary on May 27, “Moderate and fine; obtained signatures of chiefs to Government Treaty”.

At Ōpōtiki on May 27 and 28, seven Whakatōhea rangatira signed. At their request, a cross was added beside their names, indicating their Catholic and Christian Missionary Society affiliation.

Further rangatira signed during Fedarb’s travels – two at Torere on June 11 (with a third added on June 14, possibly offshore); four at Te Kaha on June 14; and 12 at Whakatāne on June 16.

Fedarb gifted tobacco, “fine pipes”’ and looking glasses to the rangatira who agreed to sign.

Exactly 183 years on, the second event, the signing of Te Whakataunga o Te Raupatu Whenua Deed of Settlement (Land Confiscation Settlement), took place on May 27, 2023.

It tells the story of how the trust of Whakatōhea rangatira in the benefits of a Treaty partnership was betrayed by the actions of the Crown.

Military occupation, the confiscation of Whakatōhea land, and loss of life “devastated Whakatōhea communities, created conflict between Whakatōhea hapū and whānau, and led to the loss of mātauranga (knowledge) Whakatōhea which is still felt today”.

Apparently, each signing at Waitangi in 1840 had been followed by a handshake and greeting from Lieutenant-Governor William Hobson: “He iwi tahi tatou” (We are [now] one people). Some current politicians seem to think the same.

To understand why iwi and hapū around the country disagree and seek to reaffirm their rights as mana whenua, it pays to engage with the history.

The Bay of Plenty (Fedarb) sheet, along with the eight other Tiriti o Waitangi sheets, are on display at the National Library in Wellington and can also be viewed online.

The deed of settlement and its brief summary is publicly available on the Te Tari Whakatau website.

■ Sources:

Archives New Zealand

https://www.archives.govt.nz/discover-our-stories/the-treaty-of-waitangi/the-sheets-and-signatures-of-te-tiriti-o-waitangi

Te Papa Tongarewa

https://www.tepapa.govt.nz/discover-collections/read-watch-play/maori/treaty-waitangi/treaty-close/treaty-waitangi-trail

NZ History website

https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/treaty/making-the-treaty/treaty-of-waitangi-signing-locations

Te Tari Whakatau

https://whakatau.govt.nz/te-tira-kurapounamu-treaty-settlements/find-a-treaty-settlement/whakatohea

Te Tāwharau o Te Whakatōhea

https://www.whakatohea.co.nz/whakatōhea-settlement

n Tanja Rother is an independent historian and writer based at Ōhiwa Harbour.