Waitangi - What Really Happened: Part 1

totalJK

17 Apr 201112:42

Summary

TLDRIn 1839, Captain William Hobson embarks on a mission to establish a treaty between the British Crown and the native chiefs of New Zealand. Upon arrival, he faces challenges in drafting a treaty that respects the sovereignty of the Māori people while also securing British interests. Amidst political tension and cultural misunderstandings, the urgency to finalize the treaty before the chiefs disperse adds to the complexity of the negotiations.

Takeaways

🇬🇧 Captain William Hobson departs from Plymouth, England on August 25th, 1839, with a mission to establish a treaty between the British Crown and the native chiefs of New Zealand.
🌊 After a 4-month sea journey, Hobson arrives in Australia and then sets sail for New Zealand, where he is tasked with creating a treaty that could change the status of the land from a native home to a British colony.
🏞️ New Zealand in February 1840 is not a British colony but home to the native Tangata whenua people and about 2,000 foreign settlers, including whalers, traders, and missionaries.
🤝 The treaty is intended to be a mutual agreement between the British Crown and the native people, but it faces challenges due to cultural differences and the potential for misunderstanding.
👤 James Busby is the British resident and representative of the crown in New Zealand, who has been trying to 'civilize' the Maori people for seven years without much success.
📖 William Kenzo, a Church missionary Society printer and naturalist, is anxious about the lack of progress on the treaty, reflecting the urgency and importance of the document.
🤬 James Stewart, Hobson's private secretary, is described as an immoral swindler with lovely handwriting, adding a touch of irony to the situation.
📝 The treaty draft is a source of contention, with Hobson being ill and unable to finalize it, leading to a rush to complete it before the chiefs gather.
🌐 The treaty needs to be in a language that the native chiefs can understand, highlighting the importance of translation and cultural understanding in the treaty-making process.
👨‍🏫 Reverend Henry Williams, known by the Maori as 'For Eyes', is chosen to translate the treaty, a task that requires not only linguistic skills but also an understanding of cultural nuances.
🤔 The script raises questions about the colonial office's instructions, which are described as confusing and ambiguous, potentially affecting the treaty's clarity and fairness.

Q & A

Who was Captain William Hobson and what was his mission?
-Captain William Hobson was a British naval officer commissioned to become New Zealand's first governor. His mission was to make a treaty between the British Crown and the native Chiefs of New Zealand.
Why was the Treaty of Waitangi significant?
-The Treaty of Waitangi was significant because it was intended to establish a framework for the relationship between the British Crown and the native Māori people, which could potentially change the status of New Zealand from a land of native Māori to a British colony.
What challenges did James Busby face as the British resident and representative of the crown in New Zealand?
-James Busby faced challenges such as a lack of troops and means of enforcing his position, as well as dealing with the perception of the Māori as 'savages' and the need to 'civilize' them, which was part of his duties as a representative of the British Empire.
What was the role of Reverend Henry Williams in the context of the treaty?
-Reverend Henry Williams, a member of the Church Missionary Society, was chosen to translate the treaty into a language that the native Chiefs could understand, ensuring that the document could be comprehended and potentially signed by them.
Why was the translation of the treaty into the Māori language important?
-The translation was important because it was necessary for the Māori Chiefs to understand the terms of the treaty in order to give their informed consent. Without understanding, they could not make a free and intelligent decision to sign the treaty.
What was the situation with the settlers in New Zealand prior to the arrival of Hobson?
-Prior to Hobson's arrival, there were approximately 2,000 foreign settlers in New Zealand, including whalers, traders, and missionaries, who lived there by the grace of the local Māori Chiefs, who found some advantage in their presence.
What was the role of William Kenzo, and why was his presence significant?
-William Kenzo was a printer and naturalist associated with the Church Missionary Society. His presence was significant because he might have been involved in the documentation and communication of the treaty process.
What was the urgency surrounding the drafting and signing of the treaty?
-The urgency was due to the convergence of the native Chiefs as per instructions, and the need to finalize and print the treaty in time for them to review and potentially sign, before they dispersed, which might have made it impossible to gather them again.
What were the instructions from the colonial office regarding the treaty, and why were they problematic?
-The instructions from the colonial office were to create a treaty that acknowledged Māori sovereignty while also suggesting they were incompetent to act or deliberate in concert. This was problematic because it created a contradiction, asking for their consent while undermining their capability to give it.
What was the controversy surrounding the character and actions of James Stewart, Freeman?
-James Stewart, Freeman, was described as an immoral swindler with lovely handwriting. His rumored actions and character raised questions about his integrity and the trustworthiness of his involvement in the treaty process.
How did the script depict the attitudes towards the Māori people by the British representatives?
-The script depicted the British representatives as having a condescending and paternalistic attitude towards the Māori people, viewing them as 'savages' in need of 'civilization' and suggesting they were incapable of understanding or consenting to the treaty.

Outlines

00:00

🏴‍☠️ The Voyage of Captain Hobson and the Treaty of Waitangi

The script opens with Captain William Hobson setting sail from Plymouth, England on August 25th, 1839, with a mission to negotiate a treaty between the British Crown and the native chiefs of New Zealand. After a long sea journey, Hobson arrives in Australia before heading to New Zealand, where he is to establish a British colony. The native New Zealanders, known as the Tangata Whenua, are described along with the few foreigners present, such as whalers, traders, and missionaries. James Busby, the British resident representative, is portrayed as struggling with his role and the challenges of dealing with the native population. The narrative also introduces key characters like William Kenzo, a Church missionary, and the influential chief Hongi Hika. The paragraph sets the stage for the complex dynamics that will unfold as the British attempt to establish governance in New Zealand.

05:04

📜 Drafting the Treaty: Challenges and Translations

This paragraph delves into the intricacies of drafting the treaty that would become the foundation of British rule in New Zealand. It highlights the challenges faced by Hobson and his team, including illness and disagreements over protocol. The importance of translation is underscored with the introduction of Reverend Henry Williams, who is tasked with translating the treaty into a language understandable to the native chiefs. The paragraph also introduces other characters, such as Jack Jones, a trader who has integrated with the native population, and the chiefs themselves, who are wary of the British intentions. The narrative suggests a sense of urgency and the high stakes involved in the treaty's creation and acceptance.

10:13

🤔 The Dilemma of Sovereignty and Consent in the Treaty

The final paragraph focuses on the philosophical and practical dilemmas surrounding the treaty's creation. It discusses the conflicting instructions from the colonial office, which acknowledge the natives' sovereignty while also suggesting their incompetence. The challenge of obtaining the 'free and intelligent consent' of the native chiefs is highlighted, alongside the need for the treaty to be understandable and capable of flexible interpretation. The paragraph also touches on the personal frustrations of James Busby and the pressure to finalize the treaty despite the lack of a finalized document. The narrative builds tension around the impending meeting and the uncertainty of whether a treaty can be successfully drafted and agreed upon.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡British Empire

The British Empire refers to the global empire that was ruled by the United Kingdom and its predecessor states. In the context of the video, the British Empire is expanding its influence and seeking to establish treaties with native populations, such as in New Zealand, to extend its territories and control. The script mentions Captain William Hobson's mission to make a treaty with the native chiefs, indicating the empire's reach and its impact on indigenous societies.

💡Treaty

A treaty is a formal, legally binding agreement between nations or states. In the video, the treaty is a central theme, as it represents the negotiation between the British Crown and the native chiefs of New Zealand. The script discusses the drafting of this treaty, the challenges in translating it into a language understood by the native chiefs, and the political implications of its terms, which are meant to establish a new relationship between the British Empire and the Maori people.

💡Captain William Hobson

Captain William Hobson is a historical figure who is depicted in the video as being commissioned to become New Zealand's first governor. His role is pivotal as he is tasked with establishing British authority in New Zealand through the treaty-making process. The script highlights his interactions with the native chiefs and the challenges he faces in fulfilling his mission, which includes his illness and the disputes over protocol with the ship's captain.

💡Maori

The Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand, referred to in the script as 'Tang def fenua,' which translates to 'people of the land.' The video's narrative revolves around the Maori's interactions with the British and the implications of the treaty for their sovereignty and way of life. The script mentions the Maori chiefs and their communities, emphasizing their significance in the historical context of New Zealand's colonization.

💡James Busby

James Busby is portrayed in the video as the British Resident and representative of the Crown in New Zealand. He is depicted as having a contentious relationship with the Maori and is involved in the treaty negotiations. The script describes his efforts to 'civilize' the Maori and his introduction of the grapevine to New Zealand, which are indicative of the cultural and agricultural changes brought about by British influence.

💡Sovereignty

Sovereignty in this context refers to the supreme power or authority of a governing body, particularly in relation to the control and self-governance of a nation or people. The script discusses the colonial office's ambiguous stance on Maori sovereignty, acknowledging it in one instance while suggesting the Maori's incompetence in another. This tension is central to the treaty negotiations and the video's exploration of power dynamics between the British and the Maori.

💡Church Missionary Society

The Church Missionary Society is mentioned in the script in relation to the missionaries who are present in New Zealand. These missionaries, like Reverend Henry Williams, are part of the broader British influence and are involved in the treaty process, often acting as intermediaries between the British and the Maori. Their presence reflects the religious aspect of colonial expansion and the efforts to convert indigenous populations to Christianity.

💡Settlers

Settlers in the video refer to individuals, such as traders, whalers, and missionaries, who have established a presence in New Zealand prior to the formal British colonization. The script notes that there are about 2,000 'toii foreigners' living in New Zealand, highlighting the diverse groups that have an interest in the outcome of the treaty negotiations and the future of the land.

💡Translation

Translation is a key concept in the video, as the treaty must be understood by the Maori chiefs for it to be valid. The script emphasizes the challenges in translating the treaty into a form that is comprehensible to the Maori, which is crucial for obtaining their 'free and intelligent consent.' The process of translation is indicative of the cultural and linguistic barriers that must be overcome in the colonial context.

💡Colonial Office

The Colonial Office was a department of the British government responsible for the administration of the British Empire's colonial territories. In the script, the Colonial Office's instructions to Captain Hobson are described as confusing and ambiguous, reflecting the complexity and uncertainty of colonial policy. The office's directives shape the treaty's content and the dynamics of the negotiations with the Maori.

Highlights

Captain William Hobson departs from Plymouth, England, on August 25th, 1839, with a mission to establish a treaty between the British Crown and the native Chiefs of New Zealand.

After a four-month voyage, Hobson arrives in Australia before setting sail for New Zealand, aiming to finalize the treaty.

In February 1840, New Zealand is not yet a British colony and is home to approximately 100,000 native Tangata whenua people.

There are also about 2,000 foreigners, including settlers, whalers, traders, and missionaries, living in New Zealand with the consent of local Chiefs.

Hobson's arrival with the treaty could potentially change the relationship between the local population and the foreigners.

A significant Chief, Hōne Heke, is described as intelligent and troublesome, having attended a church missionary school.

James Busby, the British Resident, is eager to bring the 'civilizing effect' of the Empire to the 'Lawless Savages' of New Zealand.

The urgency of the situation is highlighted by the convergence of native Chiefs as they prepare to meet with Hobson.

William Hobson, despite being commissioned as New Zealand's first governor, is ill and has had disagreements with the ship's Captain.

The treaty's translation into a language understandable by the native Chiefs is a critical task assigned to Reverend Henry Williams.

The Chiefs' sovereignty over New Zealand is acknowledged in the colonial office's instructions, yet their competence is questioned.

The challenge of obtaining the Chiefs' free and intelligent consent while suggesting their incapability creates a dilemma.

The necessity to complete the treaty in a short timeframe, with less than two days before the meeting, adds to the urgency.

The treaty must be in a plain language that is legally sound and understandable to the native mind.

James Busby's introduction of the grapevine to New Zealand and his role in the treaty negotiations are mentioned.

The final push to complete the treaty is emphasized, despite the lack of a finalized English version, let alone a translated one.