Chiefs give the Queen kāwanatanga (governorship) over their country.
Māori understanding: Governorship over Pākehā settlers, not over Māori.
The Queen guarantees Māori tino rangatiratanga (absolute chieftainship) over their lands, villages, and all their treasures.
Māori understanding: Full sovereignty and authority over their own people and resources.
The Queen gives Māori the same rights as British subjects.
Māori understanding: Additional protection, not replacement of existing rights.
Chiefs cede completely to the Queen all the rights and powers of sovereignty.
Crown understanding: Māori give up all political power to British Crown.
The Queen guarantees Māori possession of their lands and properties and gives them exclusive right to sell land to the Crown.
Crown understanding: Property rights, but under Crown sovereignty.
The Queen extends to Māori Royal protection and all rights and privileges of British subjects.
Crown understanding: Māori become British subjects under Crown law.
Key Issue: Māori and Crown representatives signed different documents with different meanings!