Treaty of Waitangi

The Treaty of Waitangi

A treaty is a formally written document/contract. The Treaty of Waitangi was signed on the 6th of February 1840. By the end of 1840 500 Maori people signed it.  Maori people used their names or moko.Some British European Settlers signed it. 39 people did not sign it. William Hobson came to New Zealand and he helped write the treaty of Waitangi. Henry Williams and his son Edward translated it into Maori. There has been lots of debate  because the Maori and the English version were different. Tamali Waka Nene and Hone Hekni Pokai said the Treaty was a good thing because that way you will not fight. Since the treaty was signed British people said they will not take away Maori lands but after a few years British people did not keep their promise and took away Maori lands.