November 28, 2012
Ngāpuhi speaks report gives alternate history
One of the authors of a new report on Ngāpuhi's historic claims says it should put to bed some of the myths around the Treaty of Waitangi.
Susan Healy was on a panel commissioned by elders to write an independent report on the evidence presented in Waitangi Tribunal hearings about Ngāpuhi's views on the 1835 Declaration of Independence and the Treaty of Waitangi.
She says it's clear that northern rangatira had no intention of giving up sovereignty or governance when they signed the Treaty.
"What it bought up very strongly is that Ngāpuhi had very clear intentions going into He Wakaputanga and also into Te Tiriti, that Ngāpuhi were very clear about what they were doing, that they weren't in any way giving away their authority. What they were doing was deepening the relationship with the crown, really for trade and also so that things would be peaceful with these new settlers coming into the country," Dr Healy says.
The Ngāpuhi Speaks report was launched today at Kohewhata Marae in Kaikohe.
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