Many of us who live in Te Whanganui a Tara enjoy the beauty of the harbour. When you experience it today, we invite you to imagine it on 29 April 1840. This is the day that Te Tiriti o Waitangi was signed here.
Te Tiriti is a powerful unifying document for local communities and for Aotearoa. It provides belonging for us all and responsibilities to listen to our histories, respect and enhance local relationships, and together create a city that we are all proud of.
Te Tiriti in Te Whanganui a Tara
Te Tiriti o Waitangi is an agreement between rangatira, the leaders of hapū (nations), and the British Crown (now the New Zealand government). It is an enduring commitment to a relationship of peace and mutual benefit. It allowed for people to come here from other parts of the world, while affirming the authority of hapū.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi was first signed on 6 February 1840 at Waitangi. The Raukawa Moana (Cook Strait) sheet of Te Tiriti was brought to Te Whanganui a Tara (Wellington Harbour) by missionary Henry Williams. After 10 days of discussions, 34 rangatira signed Te Tiriti on board the ship The Ariel on 29 April 1840.
The relationship formed through this signing has shaped connections over time in this place. Many of the rangatira who signed Te Tiriti on 29 April are the ancestors of present day leaders of mana whenua ngā iwi ō Taranaki Whānui ki te Upoko o Te Ika.
“Tumutumu parea, rākau parea, whānui te ara ki a Tāne”.
“Ward off weapon and post, so that the broad way to Tāne is opened up”.
Te Wharepouri, Te Āti Awa rangatira and Te Tiriti signatory, on the arrival of Pākehā onboard The Tory in 1839. These words express the iwi wanting to put aside their issues and differences with colonials, and to embrace the relationship and the opportunities that may come from being in community together.
An enduring relationship
Te Tiriti is the foundation for ongoing cooperation and coexistence. It provides for a society in which all can flourish, where mana whenua have authority over the things of importance to them – lands, language, ngā taonga katoa – and tangata Tiriti are able to have systems that work for and reflect their diverse peoples. Te Tiriti also creates a space in between for negotiating issues of shared interest and concern.
Since the signing of Te Tiriti however, the Crown has established and exercised government in breach of this agreement. Through laws, policies and war, governments have: suppressed rangatiratanga, tikanga and te reo Māori; imposed Western systems on Māori; and taken control of Māori land and resources.
This is an on-going process and right now, we are experiencing multiple breaches of Te Tiriti o Waitangi which trample on Māori rights and harm rather than heal our enduring relationship. At the same time, we are surrounded by examples of communities working together to heal our past and to restore balance and wellbeing for people and the planet through respectful relationships.
Local action for Te Tiriti
Mana whenua have exercised continuous kaitiakitanga, manaakitanga and whanaungatanga in Te Whanganui a Tara over generations which has benefited all who live here. We can all contribute to positive local relationships based in recognition of and respect for mana whenua. Here are some actions we can take:
- Hear stories of Pōneke from mana whenua by taking a tour on land or by waka.
- Visit places of significance by using this guide to follow Te Ara o Ngā Tupuna (The path of our ancestors)
- Visit the locally signed, Raukawa Moana (Cook Strait) sheet of Te Tiriti o Waitangi at the National Library.
- Explore biographies of local Te Tiriti signatories and other local Māori history resources.
- Learn about government Te Tiriti breaches in Te Whanganui a Tara and the unique Taranaki Whānui Statement of Forgiveness to the Crown. Have conversations about Te Tiriti with others. (Here’s a guide to support you if these conversations are tricky.)
- Learn about Te Kahu o Te Raukura – the cloak of aroha, peace and honour laid by Te Kotahitanga o Taranaki Whānui as mana whenua.
- Support environmental projects like the Kumutoto Restoration Project
- Find out how you can support Te Tiriti and Māori-led initiatives in organisations you belong to – work, places of worship, community groups, arts, sports and education.
- Check out the track record of candidates and political parties on Te Tiriti issues before voting.
- Join or support Te Tiriti Action Group to contribute to on-going action, guided by mana whenua, in support of Te Tiriti.
- Attend the opening of Tupua Horo Nuku Saturday 18th April, 10am – 2pm Tupua Horo Nuku | Hutt City Council
Tiriti Action Group Pōneke 