This table gives the wording of the original document alongside a translation by Dr Margaret Mutu and the 1840 English version, by missionaries, sent by the British Resident, James Busby, to the Under Secretary of State on 2 November 1835.
Original document |
Translation by Margaret Mutu |
Original English version |
He wakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni |
A declaration of the paramount authority in respect of New Zealand |
Declaration of the Independence of New Zealand |
1. Ko matou ko nga Tino Rangatiratanga o nga iwi o Nu Tireni i raro mai o Hauraki kua oti nei te huihui i Waitangi i Tokerau 28 o Okatapa 1835 ka wakaputa i te Rangatiratanga o to matou wenua a ka meatia ka wakaputaia e matou he Wenua Rangatira kia huaina Ko te wakaminenga o nga hapu o Nu Tireni. |
1. We, the paramount chiefs of the tribal groupings of New Zealand north of Hauraki met at Waitangi in the North on 28 October 1835 and declared the paramount authority over our lands and said we would declare a State of Peace to be called The Gathering/Confederation of the Tribal Groups of New Zealand. |
1. We, the hereditary chiefs and heads of the tribes of the Northern parts, being assembled at Waitangi, in the Bay of Islands, on this 28th day of October 1835, declare the Independence of our country, which is hereby declared to be an Independent State, under the designation of The United Tribes of New Zealand. |
2. Ko te Kingitanga ko te mana i te wenua o te wakaminenga o Nu Tireni ka meatia nei kei nga Tino Rangatira anake i to matou huihuinga a ka mea hoki e kore e tukua e matou te wakarite ture ki te tahi hunga ke atu, me te tahi Kawanatanga hoki kia meatia i te wenua o te wakaminenga o Nu Tireni ko nga tangata anake e meatia nei e matou e wakaritea ana ki te ritenga o o matou ture e meatia nei e matou i to matou huihuinga. |
2. The kingly authority is the ultimate power, authority and control of the lands of the Confederation of New Zealand and is declared here to lie only with the paramount chiefs at our meeting and we also declare that we will never give over law-making power to any other persons or any other government to have any say over the lands of the Confederation. The only people who we have said are authorised to set down our laws we have spoken of at our meeting. |
2. All sovereign power and authority within the territories of the United Tribes of New Zealand is hereby declared to reside entirely and exclusively in the hereditary chiefs and heads of tribes in their collective capacity, who also declare that they will not permit any legislative authority separate from themselves in their collective capacity to exist, nor any function of government to be exercised within the said territories, unless by persons appointed by them, acting under the authority of laws regularly enacted by them in Congress assembled. |
3. Ko matou ko nga Tino Rangatira ka mea nei kia huihui ki te runanga ki Waitangi a te Ngahuru i tenei tau i tenei tau ki te wakarite ture kia tika ai te wakawakanga kia mau pu te rongo kia mutu te he kia tika te hokohoko a ka mea hoki ki nga tauiwi o runga kia wakarerea te wawai kia mahara ai ki te wakaoranga o to matou wenua a kia uru ratou ki te wakaminenga o Nu Tireni. |
3. We the paramount chiefs say here that we will meet at the council at Waitangi in the autumn of each year to set down laws so that judgement will be correct, that peace will prevail, that wrong-doing will end, that trading will be conducted properly and correctly, and we also say to the tribal groupings of strangers of the south to abandon fighting so that they can give thought to saving our lands and so that they can join the Confederation of New Zealand. |
3. The hereditary chiefs and heads of tribes agree to meet in Congress at Waitangi in the autumn of each year, for the purpose of framing laws for the dispensation of justice, the preservation of peace and good order, and the regulation of trade; and they cordially invite the Southern tribes to lay aside their private animosities and to consult the safety and welfare of our common country, by joining the Confederation of the United tribes. |
4. Ka mea matou kia tuhituhia he pukapuka ki te ritenga o tenei o to matou wakaputanga nei ki te Kingi o Ingarani hei kawe atu i to matou aroha nana hoki i wakaae ki te kara mo matou. A no te mea ka atawai matou, ka tiaki i nga pakeha e noho nei i uta e rere mai ana ki te hokohoko, koia ka mea ai matou ki te Kingi kia waiho hei matua ki a matou i to matou Tamarikitanga kei wakakahoretia to matou Rangatiratanga. Kua wakaetia katoatia e matou i tenei ra i te 28 o Oketopa 1835 ki te aroaro o te Reireneti o te Kingi o Ingarani. |
4. We have said that a document/letter is to be written to the King of England concerning the compilation of this Declaration of ours to convey our warm acknowledgement that he has agreed with the flag for us. And because we look after and protect the Europeans living ashore here who come here to trade, so therefore do we say to the King that he remain as a mentor to us in our ‘childhood’ [that is, as we are learning Europeans’ ways], lest our paramount authority be denied. We have all agreed on this day, the 28th of October 1835 in the presence of the King of England’s Resident. |
4. They also agree to send a copy of this Declaration to His Majesty the King of England, to thank him for his acknowledgement of their flag; and in return for the friendship and protection they have shown, and are prepared to show, to such of his subjects as have settled in their country, or resorted to its shores for the purpose of trade, they entreat that he will continue to be a parent of their infant State, and that he will become its Protector from all attempts upon its independence. Agreed to unanimously on this 28th day of October, 1835, in the presence of His Britannic Majesty’s Resident. |
in New Zealand.