Te Tiriti o Waitangi — Close Reading

Year 9 Social Studies · Rights and Participation · Lesson 1

Kaiako note: Print one A4 sheet per pair (landscape preferred for the side-by-side columns). Students annotate during the 12-minute paired analysis. Key question to pose while circulating: "What does the English translation of rangatiratanga lose?" Do not answer this question for them — sit with the uncertainty.
Article 1 — Ko te Tuatahi
Te Reo Māori (Te Tiriti)
Ko ngā Rangatira o te Wakaminenga me ngā Rangatira katoa hoki ki hai i uru ki taua wakaminenga ka tuku ki a Kuini Wikitoria te Kawanatanga katoa o ō rātou wenua.
English Treaty Text
The Chiefs of the Confederation of the United Tribes of New Zealand and the separate and independent Chiefs who have not become members of the Confederation cede to Her Majesty the Queen of England absolutely and without reservation all the rights and powers of Sovereignty.
Annotation: Article 1 — What is being given? To whom? What does 'kawanatanga' mean literally?
Article 2 — Ko te Tuarua
Te Reo Māori (Te Tiriti)
Ko te Kuini o Ingarani ka wakarite ka wakaae ki ngā Rangatira ki ngā hapū — ki ngā tangata katoa o Nu Tirani te tino rangatiratanga o ō rātou wenua o rātou kāinga me ō rātou taonga katoa.
English Treaty Text
Her Majesty the Queen of England confirms and guarantees to the Chiefs and Tribes of New Zealand and to the respective families and individuals thereof the full exclusive and undisturbed possession of their Lands and Estates Forests Fisheries and other properties which they may collectively or individually possess so long as it is their wish and desire to retain the same in their possession.
Annotation: Article 2 — What is guaranteed? Notice: the te reo text says 'tino rangatiratanga'. The English says 'full exclusive and undisturbed possession'. Are these the same thing?
Article 3 — Ko te Tuatoru
Te Reo Māori (Te Tiriti)
Hei wakaritenga mai hoki tēnei mo te wakaaetanga ki te Kawanatanga o te Kuini — Ka tiakina e te Kuini o Ingarani ngā tangata māori katoa o Nu Tirani ka tukua ki a rātou ngā tikanga katoa rite tahi ki āna mea ki ngā tāngata o Ingarani.
English Treaty Text
In consideration thereof Her Majesty the Queen of England extends to the Natives of New Zealand Her royal protection and imparts to them all the Rights and Privileges of British Subjects.
Annotation: Article 3 — What are Māori given? What does 'the Rights and Privileges of British Subjects' actually mean in 1840?

Thinking Together — Whakaaro Ngātahi

1. The te reo text of te Tiriti (the Māori version) and the English Treaty text are NOT the same document. Most rangatira signed the te reo version. Why does this matter?
2. What does the English translation of 'rangatiratanga' lose? Discuss with your partner.
Source: Adapted from the authenticated text of te Tiriti o Waitangi / the Treaty of Waitangi (1840). Archives New Zealand. This is a simplified classroom excerpt — refer to the full authenticated text for legal or historical purposes.