Propaganda Treaty of Waitangi Propaganda Comic

Truth and Error Woven Together – a review of:

A School Resource on the Treaty

Published 2018 by the Ministry of Education

For the School Journal Story Library

Parents – This is a review of a school journal in comic form about the Treaty of Waitangi. We believe it is an attempt to brainwash children with Treaty misinformation. Children are being groomed to believe that Maori have been hard done by. The exact opposite is true. Maori get special privileges (see here) and huge steps have been taken to redress valid injustices. For example: the Sim Commission in 1926 and the full and final settlements of the Waitangi Tribunal. We must go forward to the future based on the truth, not fabrications that come from a revision of history.

Note: We identify AWEA (education for social justice) as the copyright holder of comic Te Tiriti O Waitangi by Ross Colman, Mark Derby and Toby Morris (2018).

Julian Batchelor M.Ed (Hons) B.Th Dip T’ching

April 2024

SchoolJournalStoryLibraryisatargetedseriesthat supplementsotherinstructionalseriestexts.Itprovides additionalscaffoldsandsupportsforteacherstouseto acceleratestudents’literacylearning.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi hasbeencarefullylevelled.Whilethe contextsandconceptslinktoEnglishandsocialsciencesatlevel 4ofthecurriculum,thetexthasareadingyearlevelofyears5 to6.

Teachersupportmaterial(availableat www.schooljournalstorylibrary.tki.org.nz)containskey informationtohelpteacherstoprovidetheadditionalsupport andscaffoldingthatsomestudentsmayneedtomeetthe specificreading,writing,andcurriculumdemandsof Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Published2018bytheMinistryofEducation,POBox1666, Wellington6140,NewZealand.www.education.govt.nz

Allrightsreserved. Enquiriesshouldbemadetothepublisher.

Publishingservices:LiftEducationETū Deweynumber993

ISBN9781776692637(print)

ISBN9781776692651(onlinePDF)

ReplacementcopiesmaybeorderedfromMinistryofEducation CustomerServices,onlineatwww.thechair.minedu.govt.nz byemail:orders@thechair.minedu.govt.nz orfreephone0800660662,freefax0800660663.

Pleasequoteitemnumber69263.

The comic is a mixture of: untruths or lies

• half-truths or biases

• missing information or omissions

• truth

• subliminal or hidden messages.

As such it is an example of propaganda, aimed at pushing a particular Government agenda.

Because of its biased content the comic should not be used to teach New Zealand History.

The comic could be a useful resource to teach how to analyse propaganda, in the application of critical thinking, teaching the weaknesses of Critical Race Theory or as an example of Cultural Marxist historical revisionism.

In general, in this critique, the comic is on the left and the critique is on the right.

Truth

Evidence of pre-Maori inhabitation

Notice that on this pagewe are told that Maori were Polynesians who came here from somewhere else. The word ‘indigenous’, according to the Miriam Webster dictionary definition, means ‘people who did not come from anywhere else’. So Maori are not indigenous.

Videos exist that may support the theory that ancient races existed in New Zealand before the arrival of the Maori:

Skeletons in the Cupboard #1

Skeletons in the Cupboard Under the carpet #2

Propaganda—Notice the name of our country. The name of our country is New Zealand. In the comicit is given as ‘Aotearoa New Zealand’ . This double banger name of our country was started by activists many years ago. Why? It is a big part of grooming the population, getting it ready for tribal rule. Full article here.

‘The Maori had the land to themselves.’ This is untrue.

• The Moriori were the resident race in New Zealand when the Maori arrived.

• The Maori engaged in the attempted total annihilation of them, killing and eating them.

• They chased them right down the North Island and across to the South Island.

• The last of the Moriori escaped to the Chatham Islands, but even then, were attacked and almost annihilated.

See full article here.

Truth

Doctrine of Discovery

The Dutch explorer Abel Tasman discovered New Zealand in 1642. He did not go ashore. In 1642, New Zealand did not have a name. The Dutch Parliament gave what we now know as New Zealand as Nova Zeelandia or Nieuw Zeelandt.

Captain James Cook discovered New Zealand in 1769. Unlike Tasman, Cook went ashore at Mercury Bay. He raised the British flag on a high place and carved the name of his ship ‘Endeavour’ into a tree.

Why all the fuss? Well, according to international convention or law at the time, this is what was necessary to ‘claim’ a country under what was known as ‘The Doctrine of Discovery’, Tasman missed his opportunity. Cook took his.

From this point on New Zealand officially/legallybelonged to the British (according to international law of the time).

See full article here.

Truth and

4

Background to the Missionaries

Britain was undergoing a Christian revival. Christian groups lobbied the British parliament to treat New Zealand as a sovereign nation. According to the Christians, the British could not just muscle their way in and push Maori aside. That is to say Christians, in Britain, went in to bat for Maori.

The British Parliament described Maori in 1840 as ‘uncivilised savages’. Uncivilised savages around the world were semi-naked people who practiced infanticide, slavery, cannibalism, human sacrifice, and worshipping false gods and demons. The Christian missionaries believed that they could not live their best life doing such things.

Note how the missionaries are presented as ‘stiff upper lipped’ and ‘up-tight’ and that Maori are presented with a certain nobility. Interesting and biased profiling. See full article here.

Truth and Error Woven Together

5

It is true that Kororareka (Russell) was called the ‘Hell hole of the pacific’ .

So, the picture of the drunks is appropriate.

Truth:

• There was a mix of corruption/savagery/good intent on both sides – Maori and settlers.

• Many Maori were Christian as were most settlers.

• Other Maori sold smoked heads of slaves and defeated warriors to sailors and were still involved with cannibalism, sacrifice, infanticide and prostitution (to cater for the sailors).

• Maori askedEngland to restore order andstop the Maori vs Maori warring. They also mentioned there was a threat from the French who had a ruthless reputation. Original document here.

Subliminal message?

It is interesting to note how the Maori couple looking on are well dressed in modern clothes, without any moko. They look like fine upstanding citizens. See full article here.

Truth

Truth and Error Woven Together

Yes A tribe had murdered a group of French explorers. Many Maori had heard of the ruthlessness of the French colonists and were fearful of French retribution.

Further:

There is no mention of the Maori versus Maori musket wars fought through the early 1800s. Many Maori lived in fear of attack and welcomed the order promised by Queen Victoria. It is estimated Maori killed at least 35,400 Maori during the musket wars.1

Some had seen enough of the world to report that the British were the most benign world power. Thirteen chiefs invited the British to come.

Click here for a copy of the request.

Note:

‘Maori’ was a description first used at Waitangi. New Zealand was a collection of tribes with a history of utu (redress), war, infanticide, cannibalism and slavery. The term Maori indicates a cohesiveness that didn’t exist at the time of the Treaty.

See full article here.

1 Mike Butler, The Treaty: Basic Facts, Tross Publishing, Wellington, 2021.

Truth and Error Woven Together

He Whakaputanga, The Declaration of Independence

• this was mostly a northern chiefs’ initiative.

• was hastily cobbled together to show the French that NZ was a British protectorate.2

• Signed by only 52 chiefs.

• brought NZ under the British but not as a colony

• was acknowledged but never ratified

• was superseded by Treaty of Waitangi as all 52 chiefs involved signed Te Tiriti.

‘A congress or parliament [comprising those chiefs who had signed the Declaration of Independence 1835) was to meet in Waitangi each autumn but attendances soon fell to nothing and it was abandoned altogether in 1838. This was precipitated in part by the outbreak of full-scale civil war amongst Ngapuhi and two adjacent tribes. Pomare and Titore, both Ngapuhi signatories of the “Declaration of Independence” less than eighteen months previously, were openly at war. … With efforts by the missionaries and others, the conflict simmered down after several months. “The Declaration” was not even acting as a regional goodwill agreement, let alone a national document of constitutional significance.’3

2 Bain Attwood. Empire and the Making of Native Title. Sovereignty, Property, And Indigenous People, Cambridge University Press, 2022.

3 Bruce Moon, Twisting The Treaty. The Tribal Grab For Wealth And Power., Tross Publlishing. 2014’ pp 31-32.

Truth

Truth and Error Woven Together

Something amazing was happening in Britain.

Largely influenced by Christian teaching, Britain was taking a much kinder approach to exploration or colonisation. At the time, Britain had 50 colonies, but decided to treat New Zealand differently. They wanted to be far more humanitarian than they had been before.

This is reflected in the pre-amble to the Treaty: ‘That the Queen is desirous to establish a settled government, to prevent evil occurring to the natives and Europeans who are now residing in New Zealand without law.’

See full article here.

Truth and Error Woven Together

The 'wild west’ nature of land deals before 1840 was one of the reasons Maori signed up to the Treaty. Settlers and Maori sellers would cheat each other. Land was sold multiple times because ownership could be hard to establish.

Further:

• Maori asked Britain to bring order.

• Maori were keen to sell land.

• 30% of the land was sold by 1840.4

• Maori came to see the value of the land when settlers arrived before that it was about fighting.

• The estimated number of Maori in South Island pre-1840 was 2000.

See full article here.

4 H.H. Turton, Old Land Claims, in Jean Jackson, Pre Treaty and preemptive land buyers of New Zealand, Auckland, Bracken Woods Projects, c.2001.

10

Truth

Colonial Times

• Britain was asked to bring peace, lawful land transactions, trading, goods.

• Britain had 50 colonies on the go and there was not a lot of money to look after NZ.5

• Britain only wanted NZ if Maori ceded sovereignty.

Proof here

• This was the installation of democracy.

• They made it clear that Britain was there to civilise Maori barbaric practices, such as war and cannibalism, as well.

See full article here.

5 Michael Wright, Illustrated History of New Zealand, Bateman Books, 2013

Truth

There had been much discussion leading up to the Treaty:

• Lord Normanby issued instructions (from the Queen) to Hobson ordering that there was to be no treaty without Maori consenting to ceding sovereignty.

• What is missed here is that Hobson was told not to do anything without the free and intelligent will of the Maori. No one was to sign the Treaty unless they fully understood it.

• Hobson thought it would take a week. However, Maori were keen to sign. Hobson was surprised that they were ready to sign in one day

See Normanby’s instructions to Hobson here.

12

Hobson set up the hui at Waitangi.

Busby sent invitations to the chiefs on the 30th January:

‘My dear friend (Tamati Waka Nene) … A war ship has arrived with a chief on board sent by the Queen of England to be Governor for us both.’ Click Here for Full Text

Note: Captain Hobson’s instruction to Henry Williams (translator) which was: ‘not to allow anyone to sign the treaty till he fully understood it;’ to which instruction I did most strictly attend. I explained the treaty clause by clause at the signing of the same, and again to all the natives in this part of the island previously to the destruction of Kororareka, on 11 March 1845; I maintained the faith of the treaty and the integrity of the British Government, and that the word of Her Majesty was sacred, and could not be violated.’ See full article here.

Truth and Error Woven Together

Many Maori spoke English.

Background:

• Henry Williams was fluent in Te Reo having been preaching the gospel in New Zealand since 1823. He also translated He Wakaputanga (the northern chiefs Declaration of Independence) and created a Maori dictionary.

• Many Maori could read the Bible by 1840.

• Maori had been trading with English speakers before 1800.

• Many Maori had travelled as part of this trading.

• The Treaty is short, about one A4 page, so one night was sufficient. The hard work had been done crafting the Treaty in the preceding months.

Note: Williams is criticised in some circles as being a bad translator. However, this comes from comparing the James Freeman version of the Treaty with the Maori version. When you compare the Littlewood Draft with the Maori version it is word for word correct except for the inclusion of ‘Maori’ and the date.

See full article here.

Truth

The Speeches of the Chiefs at Waitangi recorded by Colenso

• Some Maori wanted Britain to come as that was the best way to restore and protect order.

• Hobson did not tell the chiefs to sign he invited them to consider the Treaty.

• Hobson instructed his translator Henry Williams not to proceed without gaining the free and intelligent consent of the natives

• There was much discussion amongst the chiefs in the tent at Waitangi which was recorded by William Colenso. The recorded evidence clearly shows that the chiefs knew they were giving up sovereignty in return for the protection of Britain and equal citizenship with other British citizens. Chief Tamati Pukututu called out Rewa: ‘These chiefs say don’t sit (i.e. stay) because they have sold all their possessions’ . Full Quote Here

• Rewa’s comment implies the missionaries were thieves. The missionaries could only do their job by setting a good example and had huge respect from Maori for their character. Missionaries did buy land. Also, if the missionaries had ‘taken’ the land Maori would have taken it back. There were 90,000 Maori and only 2000 settlers at the time.

• In the end 52 chiefs signed (including Rewa).

See full article here.

Truth

Tamati Waka Nene was Britain’s most significant Maori supporter. He was a man of vision and could see that Maori were their own worst enemies, killing around 50,000 of each other in the musket wars.6

The Maori ‘lifestyle’ included trading timber, flax, and food. Trade requires peace to maximise profit. Maori could see that peace was desirable and the English were the best bet for providing this. Their ‘lifestyle’ of warring, slavery, infanticide, cannibalism and utu needed to be put to rest.

See the Chiefs’ speeches here.

See full article here.

Tamati Waka Nene, chief of the Ngatihao Tribe, rose (during discussions at Waitangi in 1840) and said, ‘I shall speak first to us, to ourselves, Natives’ (addressing them). ‘What do you say? The Governor to return? What, then, shall we do? Say here to me, O ye chiefs of the tribes of the northern part of New Zealand! what we, how we?” (Meaning, how, in such a case, are we henceforward to act?) “Is not the land already gone? is it not covered, all covered, with men, with strangers, foreigners even as

6 Mike Butler, The Treaty: Basic Facts, Tross Publishing, Wellington, 2021.

Truth

15

cont’d the grass and herbage–over whom we have no power? We, the chiefs and Natives of this land, are down low; they are up high, exalted. What, what do you say? The Governor to go back?’

‘I am sick, I am dead, killed by you. Had you spoken thus in the old time, when the traders and grog-sellers came–had you turned them away, then you could well say to the Governor, “Go back,” and it would have been correct, straight; and I would also have said with you, “Go back;” –yes, we together as one; man, one voice. But now, as things are, no, no, no.” Turning to His Excellency, he resumed, ‘O Governor! sit. I, Tamati Waka, say to thee, sit. Do not thou go away from us; remain for us—a father, a judge, a peacemaker. Yes, it is good, it is straight. Sit thou here; dwell in our midst. Remain; do not go away. Do not thou listen to what [the chiefs of] Ngapuhi say. Stay thou, our friend, our father, our Governor.’

Truth

True.

However, this account neglects to mention that Henry Williams and his son Edward helped with the discussions by translating.

Hobson reported 52 Chiefs out of 62 (83%) signed the Treaty.7

See full article here.

7 T. Lindsay Buick, Treaty of Waitangi: How New Zealand became a British Colony, Avery & Sons, New Plymouth, 1933, p 162

Truth and Error Woven Together

True.

However, this account neglects to mention that Henry Williams and his son Edward helped with the discussions by translating.

Hobson reported 52 Chiefs out of 62 (83%) signed the Treaty.8

See full article here.

8 T. Lindsay Buick, Treaty of Waitangi: How New Zealand became a British Colony, Avery & Sons, New Plymouth, 1933, p 162

18

540 Signatures were eventually gathered.

See full article here.

Truth

540 Signatures were eventually gathered. Most of the Maori chiefs signed.

Note: These chiefs did not sign.

Wherowhero (Waikato)

Te Heuheu (Taupo)

Te Waharoa (Ngati-Haua), Taiaroa (Otago)

See full article here.

Truth

20

Which draft of the Treaty?

Two Treaty drafts the Littlewood (drafted by Busby)and the James Freeman version. There are only two differences between the Littlewood draft and the Maori translation known as Te Tiriti.

Contradictions come from comparing the James Freeman version (used by the Waitangi Tribunal) to the Maori version. The Littlewood treaty is an exact match, except for the date and the word ‘Maori’ is added to the Maori version.

The Speeches of the Chiefs prove they knew that ceding sovereignty was the number one requirement of the Treaty.

History backs this up. 11 proofs that Maori ceded sovereignty

Misleading no way. Henry Williams said: ‘That the natives to whom I explained the treaty understood the nature of the same, there can be no doubt; ’

See full article here.

See full article #2 here.

Truth

The speeches of the chiefs at Waitangi and at the Kohimarama Conference prove Maori knew they were ceding sovereignty.

The idea that the governor only had power over British subjects is absolute rubbish.

This is part of the revised history that is aimed at taking over New Zealand and perpetuating the gravy train of payment for Maori grievances.

Maori understood the meaning was sovereignty (here are the proofs) and they knew sovereignty had been ceded.

In 1845, Lieutenant Shortland remarked that he was ‘so struck with the shrewdness and intelligence of many of their remarks at the first meeting at Waitangi that at the subsequent ones I noted down the speeches ofthe chiefs, which will serve to show that the natives not only understood the treaty, but that they were peculiarly sensitive with regard to every question affecting their land.’9

9 T. Lindsay Buick. The Treaty of Waitangi: How New Zealand became a British Colony. Avery & Sons, New Plymouth, 1933, p. 284 (footnote).

This is correct but note how it contradicts the previous statement: ‘The governor would have the power to control British subjects’ meaning the Pakeha not ‘Māori’.

Becoming British citizens meant equality. The speeches of the Chiefs show that they knew that ceding sovereignty was the number one requirement of the Treaty. History backs this up.

The proofs that Maori ceded sovereignty

23 Changed meanings:

The Maori word ‘Taonga’ used to mean ‘possessions gained by the spear’ .

Sir Hugh Kawharu reinterpreted ‘Taonga’ to mean ‘Treasures’ . The original meaning would never have meant all of the items that are claimed today under ‘treasures’

The Treaty was to bring order to land transactions. Once the land was sold the Chiefs had no claim to the land just as with modern day land transactions.

Correct.

• Maori would retain control over their land unless they sold it.

• Chiefs had power but everyone in New Zealand came under British Law see Article 3 of the Treaty.

• Chiefs, iwi and hapu could still preserve their culture. However, within the context of the British system of Government, if Maori sold their land they lost control of it.

Correct.

This meant Maori had the same rights as other British subjects:

• Property rights were protected by the Crown Once land was sold it became the property of the purchaser.

• The Crown was responsible for law and order.

Truth and Error Woven Together

Wrong.

• Early records show that pre-1840, more than 30% of New Zealand was willingly sold by Maori eager to buy European goods.10

• The Treaty promised orderly laws around property ownership.

• Once Maori sold their land, they lost their rights the same property laws as we have today.

• Maori weren’t ‘told’ —they agreed at Waitangi.

10 H.H. Turton, Old Land Claims, in Jean Jackson, Pre Treaty and preemptive land buyers of New Zealand, Auckland, Bracken Woods Projects, c.2001.

Truth and Error Woven Together

Misleading

Maori were promised chieftanship that would be protected within the context of ceding sovereignty to British rule. Once property was sold and recorded it was no longer theirs to rule over.

The British promised protection from others stealingtheir lands.

Maori had absolute authority over things they owned until they sold them.

This ‘chieftanship’ meaning was revised in 1989, when David Lange asked Hugh Kawharu if he could give his interpretation of what Maori might have meant in 1840. Kawharu’s interpretation was that chiefs could continue to govern as they always had.

Tino Rangatiratanga does not mean ‘absolute authority’. It means chieftanship/tribal structure. This means chiefs. had authority within their iwi or hapu but had surrendered sovereigntyandwere under British law along with all other New Zealanders.

See here for a discussion of tino rangatiratanga.

Truth and Error Woven Together

Facts:

• As above. At least 30% of land sold before 1840. Maori were keen to sell their land in return for British/European goods/money.

• Govt reselling land was a means of paying for the new colony

• Maori had been trading flax and kauri for decades.

• Subtle implication that settlers were responsible for all “progress” – trees cut/chimneys (Maori had fires before settlers).

• Maori were protesting that Government weren’t buying land fast enough.

See here for full article

Note the subliminal message in the image. A Maori looks at land cleared and the smoke coming out of the settler’s house. The settlers have decimated the environment.

The truth:

According to historian Michael Wright, Maori wiped out 35 species of either bird or animal in New Zealand.11 At least half of the forests were destroyed by Maori. Why? They set the bush alight to flush out Moa. Michael Wright comments ‘Some estimates suggest that up to half of the total food supply at this time was provided by Moa.’12

It’s ironic that Maori activists today claim to have special knowledge about the environment and nature which would benefit all New Zealand.

11 Michael Wright, Illustrated History of New Zealand, Bateman Books, 2013, p.17

12 Wright, p.15.

29 Facts:

• As above. At least 30% of land sold before 1840.

• Government land reselling was a means of paying running expenses for the new colony

• Maori had been trading flax and kauri for decades.

• There is a subtle implication that settlers were responsible for all ‘ progress’, trees cut/chimneys. (Maori had fires before settlers).

• Maori were protesting that Government weren’t buying land fast enough.

Truth

Missing important background information:

• Warning after warning that the king movement was rebellion and contravened the Treaty.

• Maori were keen to sell land. They were angry with Government for not moving quickly enough on land sales.

• Cheating over land was happening on both sides.

• Maori started to say that Government only had first right of purchase and they could sell if the government didn’t buy.

• At the Kohimarama Conference the Waikato king movement seen as rebellion.

• Some Maori tribes joined in the fight against rebellious Maori tribes.

Truth and Error Woven Together

Lands were confiscated as a result of some Maori breaking the Treaty. Much of these lands were later returned by the Crown.

Proof – Sir Apirana Ngata:

‘Some have said that these confiscations were wrong and that they contravened the articles of the Treaty of Waitangi.

The Government placed in the hands of the Queen of England, the sovereignty and the authority to make laws. Some sections of the Maori people violated that authority.

War arose from this and blood was spilled.

The law came into operation and land was taken in payment. This itself is a Maori custom revenge, plunder to avenge a wrong.

It was their own chiefs who ceded that right to the Queen. The confiscations cannot therefore be objected to in the light of the Treaty.’13

13 Sir Aprina Ngata, The Treaty of Waitangi: an Explanation, 1922. Reprinted 1963. Translation by M.R. Jones. Reprinted 2014 by New Zealand Centre for Politica Research.

Truth and Error Woven Together

See Sir Apirana Ngata’s commentary above.

Excerpt:

“The Government placed in the hands of the Queen of England, the sovereignty and the authority to make laws. Some sections of the Maori people violated that authority. War arose from this and blood was spilled”

• War is hell, there are always tragic losses but we need to understand the cause of the war.

• Confiscations were a small percentage of NZ.14

• Much of the confiscated land was compensated (Justice Sim) 1927 to 1960.

• Maori were keen to sell land and eventually Maori sold 92% of NZ.15

14 Mike Butler, Land sold, not ‘lost’, BreakingViews.co.nz., 19 November 2023. ( 0.6 million hectares remain confiscated.)

15 Mike Butler

This is vague

• The implication is that Maori were the victims.

• The truth is both sides were guilty of wrongdoing.

• And much of this arose because of rebellion.

• Did you know that full and final settlements were already done by the 1950’s?

• 1926-1950’s – Justice Sim – royal commission for unlawful confiscations – all tribes reimbursed.

• See full article here.

Truth

35

Totally Misleading

The Maori economy is worth 70 billion dollars (all tribes) see here

• Life expectancy was about 30 years – now it is close to 70

• Justice Sims’ commission on land confiscation resulted in compensation.

• Maori are treated well Benefits of being Maori

• Maori culture is encouraged.

• There are many Maori doing very well and others not doing well just like other cultures. It is not race that determines success or failure.

Maori are hugely recognised in this country

• Is the Waitangi Tribunal a Gravy Train for grievances?

• Are we being groomed for a takeover?

• Are we being lied to about the Treaty?

Check here for examples preferential treatment for Maori

Truth

The comic says “It took a long time, but the government finally started listening to Maori. In 1975, it set up the Waitangi Tribunal.”

The truth? The British have been ‘listening’ to Maori since 1831. In 1831, 13 Ngapuhi Chiefs wrote to King William. You can view the letter, and King William’s reply HERE.

Between 1831 and today, the government have been listening intently to Maori. In fact, far too much so.

Right from 1840, the British tried to accommodate Maori. For example, when Hobson set out for New Zealand in 1839, he was instructed by Lord Normanby, on behalf of the British government, to interact with Maori with “….mildness, justice and perfect sincerity.” Hobson was chosen by the British Parliament because “It is almost superfluous to say that, in selecting you [Hobson] for the discharge of this duty, I [Normanby, Colonial Secretary] have been guided by firm reliance on your uprightness and plain dealing…. the Queen, in common with Her Majesty's predecessor, disclaims for herself and Her subjects every pretension to seize on the Islands of New Zealand, or to govern them as a part of the Dominions of Great Britain unless the free intelligent consent of the natives, expressed according to their established usages, shall first be obtained…. all dealings with the natives for their lands must be conducted on the same principles of

Truth

cont’d

sincerity, justice and good faith as must govern your transactions with them for the recognition of Her Majesty's sovereignty in the Islands. Nor is that all: they must not be permitted to enter into any contracts in which they might be ignorant and unintentional authors of injuries to themselves.”

In fact, so much attention was given to Maori by the British, for the good of the Maori, that some British officials even complained that this was so.

The first governor, Hobson, had died two years after taking office. It was put down to stress. The second governor, Fitzroy, committed suicide.

What was causing all this stress? There were many factors, but the main one, it was considered, was that the British had been too soft on Maori, bowing down to them and appeasing them. Why? One reason was that they were scared of Maori in the early 1840s. Britain had limited law enforcement resources i.e. army, navy, and police. They considered that if Maori united militarily, they could easy overrun the British.

This led to unintended consequences.

Like what? Maori, realizing the British were frightened of Maori, started to milk the system as far back as the early

Truth and Error Woven Together

cont’d

1840s. They began to manipulate and bully. How so? The governors were under pressure to establish the colony (i.e. build roads and infrastructure). Maori realised this so began hiking up land prices, making life difficult for the governors. Professor Bain Attwood reports: "[Governor Fitzroy (1843-45) reported to the British government] ... the exorbitant prices the natives were asking for their land."16

They began to disregard British law and authority, thus breaching the Treaty.

For example, In July 1844 Ngāpuhi chief Hōne Heke Pōkai organised the felling of the flagpole above Kororāreka (laterRussell)in protest. About what?That the capitalhad been moved from Russell to Auckland. Hone was going to lose out on clipping the ticket on ships using Russell for trade. The internet is now full of nonsense about why Hone Heke chopped down the flag pole. Historian Michael Wright explains the real reason: “Ngpuhi felt abandoned after Hobson moved the capital to Waitemata (Auckland). Many [chiefs] had signed the Treaty expecting to receive settlers and trade.”17

16 Bain Attwood. Empire And The Making Of Native Title. Cambridge University Press. 2022.

17 Michael Wright. Illustrated History Of New Zealand. Bateman Press. 2013. p.75.

Truth and Error Woven Together

cont’d

Heke ended up chopping down the flagpole four times. “Governor Fitzroy decided to negotiate with him (appeasement), but his failures [with Hone Heke] were the final straw for the colonial office and he was sacked in September 1845.”18 Sound familiar? (e.g. “Tweaking democracy” “Maori wards” “The tyranny of the majority” “Taking revenge against Auckland City Councillors who voted ‘no’ to Maori wards” etc)

Commenting on this problem, the former colonial secretary Lord John Russell (right) said in 1843: “This is the consequence of want of firmness in not resisting unjust demands. Such conduct [being soft on Maori] appears humane and generous, and kind;

But really it is a weak yielding to intimidation and foolish concessions which lead to absurd demands. Such is always the consequences, especially when you are dealing with savage tribes”.19

18 Wright, p.79.

19 Bain Attwood. Empire And The Making Of Native Title. Cambridge University Press. 2022. pp.224-25

Truth and Error Woven Together

cont’d

This is significant. It's the truth of history and we ought to learn from it. Can you see how history is repeating itself?

Between 1840 and today, 2024, Maori have been relentless with their demands and complaining, bullying and intimidation, and the government equally so with their accommodations and appeasement. So is it true that the government have not been listening to Maori? To suggest this is an eye watering lie. The very opposite is true.

The great Sir Apirana Ngata sums up the truth nicelywhen he said:

‘Let me acknowledge first that, in the whole world I doubt whether any native race has been so well treated by a European people as the Maori.’20

20 Adam Plover. The Benefits of Colonisation. Tross Publishing. 2022

The Waitangi Tribunal is not a court.

• The Waitangi Tribunal is not a court at all. It investigates claims and makes recommendations.

• Maori can make a claim on any piece of land in NZ.

• All legal and research costs are paid by the taxpayer.

• The other party is not allowed in to represent his side of the story (e.g. the farmer whose land is at risk).

• The Tribunal has no power to tell Parliament what to do, or to enact laws. It sends ‘recommendations’ to the government who consider them, either approving them or rejecting them. That is all.

Truth and Error Woven Together

• Only a Maori person can make a claim. That is to say, the Tribunal is racist, displaying apartheid for all to see. The media are silent about this.

• This is misinformation. The British have honoured the Treaty to the letter. A book has recently been released which details this fact.21 See Here

• There is no forum in the Tribunal for opposing claims (from current land owners) to be heard.

• Settlers and their families who had been shafted by Maori in land sales, or murdered by Maori, are not allowed to bring a claim to the Tribunal. Here is a record of settlers murdered by Maori.

• Many who served or are serving on the Tribunal are tribal activists who are part of a Maori network trying to take over the country.22

• The Tribunal employs 60 people who are on big money. The taxpayers are paying for the takeover of the country.

• Maori claims ballooned from nine grievances listed in 1882 to 2,034 in 2009, to 10,000 in 2024. Watch THIS video.

21 John Robinson, Who Really Broke The Treaty? Tross Publishing, Wellington, 2024.

22 John Robinson, He Puapua: Blueprint For Breaking Up New Zealand, Tross Publishing, Wellington, 2021

Truth and Error Woven

Once again, vital details are missing. For example, all the legal fees of claimants, including the cost of hiring researchers, are paid for the taxpayer. Mike Butler writes:

More proof that treaty claims have become a multi-million dollar industry for lawyers appeared in a Dominion Post report on 9th January, 2013, which said that claims generated $79 million in legal aid since 2006. Justice Department figures detailed the millions of dollars of taxpayer money paid out each year to help Maori groups seek compensation for alleged historical treaty breaches. Unlike civil or criminal cases, claimants can obtain legal aid regardless of their financial circumstances. Dame Margaret Bazley’s review of legal aid found that, of the 75 most expensive cases in the 2008-09 year, 41 percent were for treaty claims.23

Tribunal members say what the Treaty means and the memories, stories, anecdotes, and hearsay of claimants are accepted as fact. University Law lecturer Dr David Round says Incredibly, some people seem to take the Tribunal seriously.....the Treaty Industry is now a gigantic racket, which will continue for as long as gullible New Zealanders accept everything that every plausible rogue tells them. Continuing demands for Maori entitlement are nothing but the demands of con-men 24

23 Mike Butler, Twisting the Treaty, the Tribal Grab For Wealth and Power, 2014, pp. 169-170.

24 Dr David Round Twisting The Treaty. A Tribal Grab For Wealth And Power. Tross Publishing. 2013. Pp. 110,113, 121

Truth

• ‘An agreed account of what happened in the past’. What is agreed is agreed by all who agree with each other.

• Cross-examination of the accounts of the grievances presented are not permitted. Factchecking is not allowed.

• So-called ‘accounts’ and ‘reports’ are presented to government ministers who do not know their history. They do not have the time to fact-check what the Tribunal presents. As a result, Tribunal recommendations slide through and payments are justified and made on the recommendations of the Tribunal’s ‘report’.

• As for the compensation, the amounts of money involved is eye-watering. Watch THIS video.

Truth

• Claimants feel a great sense of achievement in the same way as a burglar must feel when he/she has pulled off a heist.

• If the settlements are based on fraud and twisted history, then any ‘achievement’ by claimants is hollow.

• What is interesting is that Maori boast that the Maori economy is worth $70m. See THIS report.

• Two things make this boasting sickening. First many Maori business either don’t pay tax, or pay little tax. See HERE.

• Second, the wealth in Maoridom appears to be being hoarded by those at the top of the tree. Despite the “booming Maori economy”, Maori still get the gold medal in every negative social indicator e.g. obesity, incarceration rates, dishonesty offenses, child abuse, truancy, animal cruelty, suicide, etc.

• These negative social indicators don’t build stronger communities. The opposite is true. They significantly weaken communities and cost the government vast sums on money to deal with. So everyone loses.

What’s written here is high-end propaganda. What’s meant by ‘nothing can truly make up for what was lost’ is brainwashing. How so? It’s leaving the door wide open for more and more compensation. In other words, existing settlements will never be enough.

As for sovereignty? Without question, Maori ceded sovereignty. This is just another example of the comic being pregnant with historical inaccuracy. Read HERE

But more is to come, this time with respect to Maori being punished for speaking their language. The facts of the matter are quite different. Read HERE

The last three sentences here are appalling. They are encouraging a victim mentality within Maori society. They are garnering the sympathy of non-Maori children reading this comic, which is emotional blackmail. Read my full response HERE

• The irony is that it’s not a nice story, but only because it was Maori who breached the Treaty.

• Again, I would draw your attention to this BOOK. 25 It details how Maori broke the Treaty.

• The comic gives the opposite impression that it was the Crown who breached the Treaty and in doing so, made things horrible for Maori!

• And no, ironically again, we shouldn’t pretend it didn’t happen! i.e. what Maori did to Pakeha. The truth is, if Maori had honoured their Treaty obligations, we would be living in a beautiful harmonious racially united New Zealand, which is what the vast majority want. Check these examples of preferential treatment to see why they are smiling in the picture.

25 John Robinson, Who Really Broke The Treaty? Tross Publishing, Wellington, 2024.

This is about grooming. Promoting deep sympathy for the activists’ cause based on a complete lack of balance.

This critique of the material is based on provable fact unlike many of the assertions/underlying messages ofthis document.

While there are elements of truth here, the statement ignores several issues:

• Payouts have been going on for 150 years.

• Maori prison/poverty/suicide/child abuse statistics are still disproportionately high.

• Money is not trickling down to the Maori who need it.

• Many practical/tax advantages are available to Maori that are not available to others. See here

• For an example of Maori milking the system read about Waipareira’s controversial campaign loan repaid, executive salaries skyrocket. See Here

Truth

Twisting the Truth

• Most Maori land was sold by Maori keen on British goods.

• The confiscated areas were 1 million out of 66 million acres.

• Honouring the treaty has been a feature of New Zealand history. (E.g. the Sim Commission and the Waitangi Tribunal.)

• Maori get special privileges. (See below.)

• This appears to be an underlying attempt to create guilt about the past.

What is missing are the benefits of colonisation: technology, life expectancy increase, hospitals, improved health, roading, central organisation of resources, trade, government benefits the list goes on and on. Also missing is the other side of the story Maorimurdering-innocent-settlers.pdf

The Treaty was all about equality.

• Many would say, based on what has been discussed above, that damages have been rectified.

• Maori were their own worst enemy during the musket wars. They invited the British here asking for help and protection.

• 30% of Maori Land was sold before 1840.

• Confiscated land is only 1.5% of New Zealand’s total land area.

• Sir Apirana Ngata said the confiscations were justified.

• The Sim Commission returned much of the confiscations.

• Maori also dishonoured the Treaty Maorimurdering-innocent-settlers.pdf

• We have multiple ‘full and final settlements’ but Maori want more. This proposes that the settlements should be ongoing. When will it end?

• Sovereignty was ceded to the British: See the proofs

• British citizenship was granted we are equal. Maori should not be given special treatment in terms of the law/benefits etc.

Here we have the biggest clangor of them all.

There is absolutely nothing in New Zealand that any Maori cannot access that all non-Maori can access.

When Maori are challenged to name just one opportunity they do not have (anyone/anything anywhere) and which others have, they cannot name one thing.

Not one.

Conclusion? Maori have the same opportunities as everyone else.

The fact of the matter is that they have more opportunities than everyone else endless handouts and advantages e.g. Maori special entry into medical school and engineering school; Maori given priority health treatment; Maori given special fishing areas. On and on it goes. Those non-Maori who know about this may be too timid to express their opinions.

If anyone should be bleating about ‘unfairness’ it ought to be non-Maori complaining about Maori advantage!

Truth and Error Woven Together

Cont’d

The Treaty was all about equality.

• Do you want a country where different outcomes are based on race or one where everyone is treated equally?

• Do you want to go back to tribal blocs ruling New Zealand.

• Name one thing that Maori can’t take part in/access in New Zealand?

The irony is non-Maori have fewer rights. For example: legal/research expenses for Waitangi Tribunal claims, cultural reports to reduce sentences, rates relief, priority hospital access, university places.

‘Publicly, the newly wealthy tribal corporations, with $10billion belonging to trusts and post-settlement tribes, are lauded for contributing to the economy, but these entities pay little tax. Amendments to the Income Tax Act in 2003 meant that tribal trusts could function as charities. Treaty settlements are not taxed.’26

Some concrete examples:

• Waikato-Tainui’s 2014 report says the Raupatu Land Trust had a net profit of $70.9-million,

26 Hobson’s Pledge. ‘Why Tribal Tax breaks’. https://www.hobsonspledge.nz/tribal_tax_exemption_must_go

Truth

Cont’d

distributed $6.1-million, claimed a net worth of $783.7-million, and paid income tax of $342,000.

• Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu’s 2013 report listed a net operating surplus of $50.86 million, distributed $17.3 million, claimed a net worth of $877.26 million, and paid just $160,000 in tax.”27

For a comprehensive list see here.

Conclusion

Numerous Maori object to the “special needs” status implied bythe lingering paternalism shown in such special rights policies. However, special treatment appears in health, education, welfare, housing, prisons, government positions, seats on local councils, and seats in parliament. The question is why, after at least 175 years of coexistence, do we need a Waitangi Tribunal, a separate Maori department, and a myriad of race-based entitlements? Do these special needs policies foster dependence or independence?

27 Treaty of Waitangi For Dummies. https://sites.google.com/site/treaty4dummies/home/maori-onlyprivileges

Truth and Error Woven

By trying to condense 150 years into comic form, much is left out. What about …?

• The musket wars killing, slavery, cannibalism.

• The Christian influence on the British Parliament which changed the way (for the better) that colonisation was approached.

• The wealth of historical proof that Maori ceded sovereignty:

– Lord Normanby’s instruction to Hobson that without the ceding of sovereignty there would be no treaty.

– The pains taken at Waitangi to get the chiefs to understand the treaty.

– The speeches of the chiefs at Waitangi.

– Henry Williams testimony that the chiefs understood the Treaty and ceding sovereignty.

– The Kohimarama conference of 1860 which validated the treaty.

– The gravestone of Tamati Waka Nene recording he was the ‘the first to welcome the Queen’s sovereignty in New Zealand’.

– Sir Apirana Ngata: Let me acknowledge first that, in the whole world I doubt that any native race has been so well treated by a European people as the Maori”.28

28 Adam Plover, New Zealand the Benefits of Colonisation, Tross Publishing, Wellington, 2023

Truth and Error Woven Together

TheTreaty

Here is Busby’s final version the English draft of the Treaty which was used to construct the Treaty in Maori. Note that ‘sovereignty’ was misspelled twice.

Article First.

The chiefs of the Confederation of the United Tribes and the other chiefs who have not joined the confederation, cede to the Queen of England for ever the entire Sovreignty [sic] of their country.

Article Second.

The Queen of England confirms and guarantees to the chiefs and tribes and to all the people of New Zealand the possession of their lands, dwellings and all their property. But the chiefs of the Confederation and the other chiefs grant to the Queen the exclusive right of purchasing such land as the proprietors thereof may be disposed to sell at such prices as shall be agreed upon between them and the persons appointed by the Queen to purchase from them.

Article Third.

In return for the cession of the Sovreignty [sic] to the Queen, the people of New Zealand shall be protected by the Queen of England and the rights and privileges of British subjects will be granted to them.

See Here Also.

Truth and Error Woven Together

TheTreaty

In the Treaty in Maori the four British obligations were:

• to establish a democratic government providing sovereignty was ceded (Article 1)

• to protect the land, dwellings and property of all New Zealanders. (Article 2)

In today’s language, the British only intended Article 2 to agree to protect Maori houses and contents. That is to say, whatever land, dwellings, and contents Maori chiefs owned on 6 February 1840, the British agreed to protect. In their minds they were simply saying to Maori, ‘We’ll stop other tribes and the French (the two big fears of Maori in 1840) from stealing your stuff.’ That is all. Of course, the next big issue the British faced was arbitrating between Maori chiefs as to who owned what land. As you can imagine, disputes between chiefs were furious, especially now that money was involved. The fact is that Maori went on to sell 92% of their land, a fact conveniently never talked about today. HERE are the facts about the 92%. Maori activists today have twisted the narrative of Article 2 to mean that Maori were guaranteed ownership of all New Zealand forever! (tino rangatiratanga). This is complete nonsense.

• to buy land from Maori, which they did. (Article 2)

• to grant Maori British citizenship. Which was granted. We all became equal citizens. (Article 3)

Conclusion:

The British honoured the Treaty. Maori did not.

In a democracy, all people are to be treated equally, with one law for all. There are not to be any favours for any racial group.

Apartheid, separatism, and racism in a democracy are outlawed. In New Zealand right now, we have all three spreading like cancer, and this comic is a big part of the problem, feeding the cancer in the minds of the young, the vulnerable, and impressionable.

For the previous reasons this must be withdrawn from schools immediately.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

TheMinistryofEducationandLiftEducationwouldliketothankPeter Adds,HinerangiHimiona,DameClaudiaOrange,JockPhillips,andKate Potterfortheirinvaluablehelpwithdevelopingthisbook.

Alltextcopyright©Crown2018,takenfrommaterialoriginally publishedas“TeTiritioWaitangi”byRossCalman(SchoolJournal Level3August2017)and“MakingPromises:TheTreatySettlement Process”byMarkDerby(SchoolJournalLevel4November2017).

IllustrationsbyTobyMorriscopyright©Crown2018

TheimageonthetitlepageisfromArchivesNewZealand/TeRua MaharaoteKāwanatangaandisusedunderaCreativeCommons licence(CCBY2.0).

Threeoftheillustrationsonpage13(twointhetoprightcornerand oneinthebottomleft)arebasedonphotographstakenbyGilHanly, accessedcourtesyofAucklandWarMemorialMuseum/TāmakiPaenga Hira(referenceGilHanly.AWMM.PH-2015-2).

TheillustrationofRewaonpage6isbasedonaportraitbyWilliam CharlesCotton,from Volume 09: William Charles Cotton: Journal of a Residence at St John’s College Bishop’s Auckland (1844-1845),accessed fromtheStateLibraryofNewSouthWales,reference997471.The illustrationofHōneHekePokaionpage6isbasedonalithographby W.HawkinsafteranoriginalbyGeorgeFrenchAngas,from New Zealanders Illustrated (London1847),accessedfromTePapa Tongarewa,referenceRB001054.TheillustrationofTāmatiWākaNene onpage6isbasedonadrawingbySamuelStewart(circa1890), accessedfromtheAlexanderTurnbullLibrary,Wellington,reference 1/1-017878-F.

Thefont“MorrisSans”usedthroughoutthebookiscopyright©Toby Morrisandisusedwithpermission.

Editor:IsaacSnoswell

Designer:SimonWaterfield

LiteracyConsultant:MelanieWinthropConsultingEditor:HōneApanui