Hi there! This week in Social Studies, we have been focusing on finishing our essays on why a Treaty was needed for New Zealand. Here is mine:
One reason that a Treaty was needed was some of the British Settlers’ lawless behaviour like whalers. The lawlessness of New Zealand before the 1840s was a key cause that entered the British Crown and Maori into a Treaty. Before the Treaty of Waitangi was signed New Zealand was included in independent tribes with a small number of European settlements and a few traders throughout the country. The two races did not have a moral time cooperating, therefore, had different ways of doing things. This lifestyle led to the creation of Kororareka, the first European settlement and seaport of New Zealand. This community reached a poor reputation with no laws, increased racial tension and corruption, which had brothels (the house where men visit prostitutes) and grog (alcohol), shops to service the needs of the ship crewmen, it was known as the “Hell hole of the Pacific”. Without this Treaty, this lawless behaviour would continue.
Another reason that a Treaty was needed was to protect Māori rights. One group that felt strongly about this was the missionaries. To strengthen the missions and protect his Maori, converts from undesirable European influences, Henry William sent missionary opposition to the New Zealand Company and other large scale colonization ventures. Instead, the missionaries favoured intervention by the British government. Henry Williams agreed to the government’s request to use all his influence among the chiefs, to persuade them to make the desired surrender of sovereignty to her Majesty, by signing the Treaty of Waitangi. In contrast, the New Zealand company tried in every possible means to have the Treaty withdrawn or set aside. In regard to it as a mere blind to amuse and deceive ignorant savages. Well informed that New Zealand, like any other Pacific Islands, was exposed to European interference. The CMS missionaries and the Wesleyans welcomed the Treaty of Waitangi. They helped translate the treaty into Maori and later collected signatures for it. Overall, missionary influence in New Zealand reached its peak in February 1840, when chiefs such as Hone Heke and Tamati Waka Nene gave their Christian faith as their reason for signing the treaty.
Another reason that a treaty was needed was the Musket Wars. The Musket Wars caused many deaths as over 20,000 lost their lives. Land borders were changed drastically because of these wars. These wars cause many Maori to be enslaved and taken by other tribes who had more muskets than the other tribe making them more powerful. Maori tribes would get muskets through the trade of food and flax. These musket trades gave Maori new weapons which they could use in war. However, whoever had the most muskets where probably more likely to win. After Nga Puhi traded for muskets, a spike in musket trades happened as everyone wanted muskets. This would cause many wars and for tribal boundaries to change so much, this was unusual in the 1800s. These trades, cause many deaths to Maori which would then become a reason for the European population in New Zealand to increase. Maori people became frightened and now because of this thought, a treaty would help this issue and stop many deaths to Maori.
The final reason that a treaty was needed was the existence of the Declaration of Independence. What was the Declaration of Independence? The Declaration of Independence has caused Maori to do many things such as now being able to trade with other countries. This would cause Maori to have Aotearoa considered as a country. Maori would have been able to have control over their land too. The Declaration helped the Maori to finally own their land and protection. It also gave them freedom where if it had failed, they would have the Crown as a backup as the king would reach ownership if anything had gone wrong. This would foster the relationship between the Crown and Maori. This was major for the treaty signing.
In conclusion, a treaty was needed because it improved relations between the Crown, the Maori and the Missionaries. It protected the Maori culture and enabled Maori to stay in New Zealand as Maori. The treaty also helped the Crown, giving them the right to rule over New Zealand and represent the interests of all New Zealanders. It advised stopping the Musket Wars by uniting the nation and protecting all. Lastly, the treaty was also helpful by impacting both sides of the spectrum then and now. The negative effects of the Maori were conveyed eased by the Treaty of Waitangi.
