NZHistory.net.nz / Gallery / Treaty of Waitangi Signatories

1. Waitangi Treaty Copy

List of signatories | Images of original signatures | Related biographies

This is the most confusing of all the treaty sheets. It bears 240 names of chiefs, most of them from tribes north of Whangarei, and from Tamaki-makau-rau (Auckland), the Waitemata harbour and the Hauraki Gulf. But there are many uncertainties regarding names, dates of signings and numbers signing at different locations. There are, for example, conflicting reports of the number who signed at Waitangi on 6 February and immediately after; there may have been forty-three, forty-five or fifty-two (although the first is most likely). Hokianga presents similar problems, as does Waimate North where there was probably only one signing, and not two as sometimes thought. This makes it virtually� impossible to state figures precisely. The identification of place and date must remain tentative in many instances.

The first four columns across the sheet contain chiefs from various northern locations who may have signed at any one of three or more locations; a number of names were added to the top of the sheet after the 6 February signing at Waitangi.

Two separate signings - on 4 March and on 9 July - took place at Karaka Bay on the Tamaki river; a major signing was held at Kaitaia on 28 April involving Te Rarawa, Te Aupouri and Ngati Kahu; and from February through to August signatures were added at the Bay of Islands, sometimes by chiefs visiting the Bay.

The original draft in English, on which Henry Williams based this Maori translation, has not been found. His original translation, presented to the Waitangi meeting of 5 February, has also disappeared. Because it had corrections on it, the CMS missionary Richard Taylor offered to write it out on parchment for the 6 February meeting, which he did, saying that he was keeping the original paper copy for his pains.

Two women are known to have signed this treaty copy - Ana Hamu (61), the widow of Te Koki who had been patron of the Paihia mission station; and Ereonora (207), the wife of Te Rarawa chief Nopera Pana-kareao. Koroniria Nuau (211) may also be a woman.

The names are presented on the copy in several ways -'Te tohu o' (The sign of) or 'Ko tona tohu' and 'tona tohu', which are alternatives to the first; sometimes just the name is given. In a few instances tribe/hapu identification has been added, but most have no identification. The odd phrase sometimes gives a clue to the location of a small group, but where identification is given on the list it is usually the result of research, which is still in progress.

Last updated 24 October 2003

Copies of the original signatures

(click on thumbnails for enlargement)

Related biographies from the online DNZB

These biographies can be found at www.dnzb.govt.nz - the figure in [ ] indicates signature number

[1] Kawiti, Te Ruki (? - 1854)
Nga Puhi leader, warrior

[2] Te Tirarau Kukupa (? - 1882)
Te Parawhau leader

[3] Pomare II (? - 1850 )
Nga Puhi leader, war leader, trader

[4] Heke Pokai, Hone Wiremu (? - 1850)
Nga Puhi leader, war leader

[22] Patuone, Eruera Maihi (? - 1872 )
Nga Puhi leader, peacemaker, trader, government adviser

[80] Te Heuheu Tukino III, Iwikau (? - 1862)
Ngati Tuwharetoa leader

Busby, James (1802 - 1871)
Viticulturalist, British Resident, farmer, politician, newspaper editor

Clarke, George (1798 - 1875)
Missionary, teacher, public servant, politician, judge

Clendon, James Reddy (1800 -1872)
Ship owner, merchant, consul, magistrate

Ironside, Samuel (1814 - 1897)
Missionary, community leader

Taylor, Richard (1805 - 1873 )
Missionary, scientist, writer

Williams, Henry (1792 - 1867)
Missionary

Treaty of Waitangi Signatories | Location Map of Treaty Signings | Maori Tribal Location Map | Introduction to the Treaty

Back to top

The author is solely responsible for errors and omissions in this work, and invites viewers to make any known: [email protected]

Copyright © Ministry for Culture and Heritage, Wellington, New Zealand
Copyright and disclaimer information for this website.