The Treaty of Waitangi
05/02/2024
We have been learning about the Treaty of Waitangi and its importance in Aotearoa. Some children dressed up as the first Rangatira (chief) and the European Settlers. We talked about how the Europeans and Māori people argued and fought battles over the whenua (land) the resources and trading. Communication became difficult because Māori spoke te reo and pakeha spoke English and they couldn’t understand each other to put an end to the fighting and disagreements. The British Crown decided to draw up an agreement called The Treaty of Waitangi, it was written in English and then translated into Māori, and signed by representatives of both parties on February 6th 1840. Our Beachcomber children each signed their name with special ink on our replica treaty.
