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3. Waikato-Manukau Treaty Copy

This copy was the only copy (as far as we know) sent out in English. Robert Maunsell, a CMS missionary stationed near the mouth of the Waikato river, received it in late March or early April, just as a large mission meeting of some 1,500 Maori was assembling. Maunsell believed that the thirty-two chiefs who first signed his copy comprised most of the leading men of the area. The names show that they were mainly from the lower Waikato region, while some came from Ngaruawahia and further upstream.

In mid April 1840, William Symonds carried this treaty copy back to Manukau harbour where seven more Waikato chiefs signed (at Awhitu?) on 26 April. Te Wherowhero and several others were present, but would not sign.

Maunsell took care to record the tribe or hapu for most of the chiefs. Sometimes he noted their location, although this was seldom fixed; political and seasonal pressures meant that chiefs and their people moved about a good deal.

Each name is prefixed by 'Ko te tohu o' -The sign of. Number 15- Hoana (Joanna?) Riutoto -is a woman of rank.

Images of signatures

Related biographies from the online DNZB

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

[18] Te Awa-i-taia, Wiremu Nera (? - 1866 )
Waikato leader, missionary, assessor, mediator

Maunsell, Robert (1810 - 1894)
Missionary, linguist, translator

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

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