One New Zealand Foundation Inc.

By Ross Baker for the One New Zealand Foundation Inc.  28/4/2017 (Copyright)

While the Declaration of Independence, the Tiriti o Waitangi and the 1893 Women’s Suffrage Petition were moved from the Constitution Room at Archives New Zealand under darkness to the Wellington Library on Friday 21 April 2017, Queen Victoria’s Royal Charter/Letters Patent of 1840, our true Founding Document and first Constitution was not mentioned. Where is it? Has it and the Hobson’s final draft been deliberately left behind to continue to hide our true history from the Public?

A pristine copy of Queen Victoria’s Royal Charter of 1840 should be in pride of place in every school and government building in New Zealand instead of the Treaty of Waitangi. It is our true Founding Document and first Constitution, a document all New Zealanders should be extremely proud to honour. Let’s all join forces and make it happen.

The One New Zealand Foundation Inc. has spent over 30 years researching New Zealand’s history and we have found many parts have either been overlooked by previous researchers or today’s researchers are just too lazy to do their own research and follow the “sheeple before them like lambs to the slaughter”!

The One New Zealand Foundation Inc. researched the final draft of the Treaty in 1990 which was named the Littlewood Treaty and found it was Lt. Governor Hobson’s final draft written by James Busby that was translated into the Tiriti of Waitangi by the Rev Henry Williams and his son Edward. But Dr Claudia Orange stated, “It was just another translation of the Maori version by an unknown author”, and most believed her. It took others 14 years to realise it was the final draft that went missing soon after it was read to the gathering at Waitangi on the 5^th February 1840. By then too late as the government had organised its $6.5 million Treaty 2U Exhibition to destroy the Final Draft in the public’s eye, the only true record of what the Treaty really said.

We have recently stated the Treaty was signed by tangata Maori and not tangata whenua, something many researchers are still trying to prove when in fact over 500 tangata Maori chiefs agreed they were tangata Maori when the signed the Treaty so why waste time on something over 500 tangata Maori chiefs freely admitted.

Our latest research shows Queen Victoria’s Royal Charter/Letters Patent dated the 16 November 1840 was our true Founding Document and first Constitution that the government and Te Papa completely ignores, but many of our researchers still insist the Treaty is our Founding Document including our Governor General. How can it be when all it did was place New Zealand under the control of New South Wales until Britain made New Zealand into a British Colony in its own right with a political, legal and justice system under one flag and one law, irrespective of race colour or creed.

Wake up you modern day researchers and authors, New Zealand research has advanced since the likes of Dr Claudia Orange, Lyndsay T Buick, Dr Peter Adams, Keith Sinclair, James Belich and many others that wrote of their research they completed 50 to 100 years ago. Things have changed and you need to catch up. History never changes but further research can change what researcher thought 50 to 100 years ago.

Below is up-to-date research by the One New Zealand Foundation Inc. If you don’t believe it, then get off your backside and research it for yourself, you will be amaze of what you will find!

By repeating research from over 50 to 100 years ago, you will only allow government to deny the people of New Zealand their true history and one small group of our population special rights and privilege over the others. The Treaty of Waitangi or Queen Victoria’s Royal Charter of 1840 made sure we were all treated the same under one flag and one law irrespective of race colour or creed. Fact!

If you are going to put pen to paper today, then make sure it’s based on today’s research and not research from many years ago. To do otherwise does more harm than good and helps today’s governments and Maori continue to take what was never theirs in the first place!  Fact!       

What was the Treaty of Waitangi?

The Treaty of Waitangi was an agreement between Queen Victoria and tangata Maori where tangata Maori gave up their individual territories to Britain in 1840 in exchange for, “the same rights as the people of England”. No more, no less!

The Treaty of Waitangi was signed by over 500 tangata Maori chiefs and Lt. Governor Hobson in 1840 and consisted of a Preamble, 3 Articles/Laws, and a Consent.

While we are told the Treaty only contains 3 short articles but this is not correct. Check all the copies of the Treaty and you will find they all have a Preamble, 3 Articles/Laws and a Consent. All documents of this nature have a Preamble attached to clear up any ambuities in the Articles/laws. Without the Preamble the Treaty can be and has been distorted until it is no longer the document intended by our ancestors. “He iwi tahi tatou- We are now one people” See Tiriti o Waitangi below.

Once the Treaty was signed tangata Maori became British Subjects. Fact!

Who were the people that signed the Treaty of Waitangi?

We are told Maori were the tangata whenua or the indigenous people of New Zealand and many have spent a life time trying to prove they were not, but the 500 chiefs that signed the Treaty of Waitangi agreed they were tangata Maori when they signed the Treaty. While tangata Maori were a distinct race of people in 1840, today they are a mixed race of many nationalities called “Maori”. Fact! See Tiriti o Waitangi below

There was no Partnership!

We are also told the treaty was a “partnership” between “Maori and the Crown” but once the Treaty was signed tangata Maori became British Subjects and British Subjects cannot be in “partnership with the Monarchy or the Crown. Fact!

Tangata Maori not major land owners in 1840!

By 1840 the tangata Maori chiefs, especially in the South Island had sold virtually 2/3 on New Zealand to foreign buyers. After Te Rauparaha invaded the South Island, many South Island chiefs fled to New South Wales and sold virtually the whole of the South island to foreign buyers. Many of the Deed of Sales still remain in the New South Wales Supreme Court. When the Treaty was signed most of this land was returned to tangata Maori without compensation to the foreign buyers and repurchased by the government with large compensation payments to Maori to this day. Fact!

Treaty is not our Founding Document!

The Treaty of Waitangi was not our Founding Document. It was an agreement between Queen Victoria and the tangata Maori chiefs that gave sovereignty over all the island of New Zealand to Britain. No More, no less!  Fact!

The Treaty had served its purpose.

The Treaty had served its purpose on the 21 May 1840 when Britain declared sovereignty over all the islands of New Zealand. The treaty was then filed away where it should have remained. It was later damaged by fire and rats. Fact!

New Zealand placed under the dependency of N. S.W.

New Zealand was placed under the laws and dependency of New South Wales once the Treaty was signed until Britain decided how it would treat with New Zealand. Fact!

New Zealand became a British Colony.

One the 16 November 1840 Queen Victoria granted Her Royal Charter that made New Zealand into a British Colony with its own Governor and Constitution to form a government to make laws with courts and judges to enforce those law under one flag and one law, irrespective of race colour or creed. Fact! See Constitution below.

Our True Founding Document and first Constitution.

Queen Victoria’s 1840 Royal Charter/Letters Patent was our true Founding Document and first Constitution as it set up our political, legal and justices systems on the 3 May 1841. It referred to all the people of New Zealand and guaranteed to them; their lands, their settlements and all their property which they could prove they owned or was occupied by them at the time the Treaty was signed. Fact! See Queen Victoria’s Royal Charter our true Founding document and first Constitution below.

Tiriti o Waitangi

Ko Wikitoria te Kuini o Ingarani i tana mahara atawai ki nga Rangatira me nga Hapu o Nu Tirani i tana hiahia hoki kia tohungia ki a ratou o ratou rangatiratanga me to ratou wenua, a kia mau tonu hoki te Rongo ki a ratou me te Atanoho hoki kua wakaaro ia he mea tika kia tukua mai tetahi Rangatira — hei kai wakarite ki nga tangata maori o Nu Tirani — kia wakaaetia e nga Rangatira maori te Kawanatanga o te Kuini ki nga wahikatoa o te Wenua nei me nga Motu — na te mea hoki he tokomaha ke nga tangata o tona Iwi Kua noho ki tenei wenua, a e haere mai nei.

Na ko te Kuini e hiahia ana kia wakaritea te Kawanatanga kia kaua ai nga kino e puta mai ki te tangata maori ki te Pakeha e noho ture kore ana.

Na, kua pai te Kuini kia tukua a hau a Wiremu Hopihona he Kapitana i te Roiara Nawi hei Kawana mo nga wahi katoa o Nu Tirani e tukua aianei, amoa atu ki te Kuini, e mea atu ana ia ki nga Rangatira o te wakaminenga o nga hapu o Nu Tirani me era Rangatira atu enei ture ka korerotia nei.

KO TE TUATAHI

Ko nga Rangatira o te wakaminenga me nga Rangatira katoa hoki ki hai i uru ki taua wakaminenga ka tuku rawa atu ki te Kuini o Ingarani ake tonu atu — te Kawanatanga katoa o ratou wenua.

 

KO TE TUARUA

Ko te Kuini o Ingarani ka wakarite ka wakaae ki nga Rangatira ki nga hapu — ki nga tangata katoa o Nu Tirani te tino rangatiratanga o ratou wenua o ratou kainga me o ratou taonga katoa. Otiia ko nga Rangatira o te wakaminenga me nga Rangatira katoa atu ka tuku ki te Kuini te hokonga o era wahi wenua e pai ai te tangata nona te Wenua — ki te ritenga o te utu e wakaritea ai e ratou ko te kai hoko e meatia nei e te Kuini hei kai hoko mona.

KO TE TUATORU

Hei wakaritenga mai hoki tenei mo te wakaaetanga ki te Kawanatanga o te Kuini — Ka tiakina e te Kuini o Ingarani nga tangata maori katoa o Nu Tirani ka tukua ki a ratou nga tikanga katoa rite tahi ki ana mea ki nga tangata o Ingarani.

[signed] William Hobson Consul & Lieutenant Governor

Na ko matou ko nga Rangatira o te Wakaminenga o nga hapu o Nu Tirani ka huihui nei ki Waitangi ko matou hoki ko nga Rangatira o Nu Tirani ka kite nei i te ritenga o enei kupu, ka tangohia ka wakaaetia katoatia e matou, koia ka tohungia ai o matou ingoa o matou tohu.

Ka meatia tenei ki Waitangi i te ono o nga ra o Pepueri i te tau kotahi mano, e waru rau e wa te kau o to tatou Ariki.

 

Queen Victoria’s Royal Charter of 1840.

OUR ‘TRUE’ FOUNDING DOCUMENT AND ‘FIRST’ CONSTITUTION

 

The Government continues to use the Treaty of Waitangi as our Founding Document to give Maori privilege and advantage over those who cannot claim a minute trace of Maori ancestry when the Treaty only gave Maori, “the same rights as the people of England”. The Treaty of Waitangi was the most generous gift to a primitive race of people on their way to self-destruction that was ever given by a super power. After Lt. Governor Hobson had declared Sovereignty over New Zealand on the 21st May 1840, the Treaty of Waitangi had served its purpose and was put into storage where it was later damaged by fire and rats.

By 1831 intertribal fighting had devastated the “tangata Maori” population and 13 Ngapuhi chiefs asked King William IV to be their guardian and protector, but it was soon found this could only be successfully achieved by Britain obtaining sovereignty over all the Islands of New Zealand and “tangata-Maori” becoming British Subjects.

During 1840, starting on the 6th February the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between 512 “tangata Maori chiefs” and Queen Victoria where the chiefs gave up their territories and governments to legally allow British Sovereignty over all the Islands of New Zealand under the dependency and laws of New South Wales. This arrangement only lasted for 12 months before New Zealand separated from New South Wales by Royal Charter and became a British Colony opn the 3 May 1841

With British Sovereignty firmly asserted, Queen Victoria’s Royal Charter/Letters Patent dated the 16 November 1840 ratified that Sovereignty had been legally and morally obtained by Great Britain over all the Islands of New Zealand. This was recognised and accepted by the rest of the world, including the hundreds of Chiefs that attended the Kohimarama Conference in 1860 and Maori Parliament in 1879.

Queen Victoria’s Royal Charter/Letters Patent with its Royal Seal attached separated New Zealand from New South Wales on the 3 May 1841 and New Zealand became a British Colony with a Governor and a Constitution to form a legal government to make laws with courts and judges to enforce those laws, all under the watchful eye of Great Britain. Lt. Governor Hobson was sworn in as our first Governor on the 3 May 1841 and the first sitting of the Legislative Council (Government) was held on the 24 May 1841.

If the Government continues to use the Treaty of Waitangi as our Founding Document and not the Royal Charter/Letters Patent we will never solve our racial and social problems, the Treaty will continue to drive a wedge between the people of New Zealand.

The Treaty of Waitangi was an agreement between “tangata Maori” and Queen Victoria for Britain to gain sovereignty over the Islands of New Zealand. Queen Victoria’s Royal Charter/Letters Patent was our ‘true’ Founding Document and ‘first’ Constitution that set up our political, legal and justice systems under one flag and one law for all.

In 1947, with the adoption of the Statute of Westminster that granted New Zealand complete autonomy in domestic as well as foreign affairs, we all became New Zealand Citizens under one flag and one law, irrespective of race, colour or creed.

It is interesting to note that Te Papa and the Ministry of Justice Electoral and Constitutional Policy Unit do not hold copies or any information on the Royal Charter/Letters Patent. We asked Te Papa under the Official Information Act (OIA), “Does Te Papa have a copy of Queen Victoria’s Royal Charter and if so, why is it not given its rightful place at Te Papa”? Claire McClintock, Senior Advisor, Office of the Chief Executive, Te Papa, Museum of New Zealand replied. “Te Papa does not have a copy of the Charter”.

We then asked the Ministry of Justice under the OIA, “Why is Queen Victoria’s Royal Charter/Letters Patent not mentioned or part of New Zealand’s Legal System”? Fiona Illingworth, Manager, Electoral and Constitutional Policy, Ministry of Justice replied, “Your request is refused under Section 18(g) of the OIA 1982 as the Ministry of Justice does not hold any information relating to your request”.

Unbelievable when it is held in the Constitution Room at Archives New Zealand and listed as, “ACGO 8341, 1A19, R21434434, Charter of 1840, Constitution of the Colony of New Zealand into a separate colony, 16 November 1840“.

Our governments and academics have completely ignored the Royal Charter/Letters Patent as our ‘true’ Founding Document and ‘first’ Constitution since the 1975 Treaty of Waitangi Act.

There is no doubt the Government and some part-Maori do not want this document made pubic as it would show how the people of New Zealand have been misled by their Politicians and Governments since the 1975 Treaty of Waitangi Act and the apartheid Waitangi Tribunal it created. Queen Victoria’s Royal Charter/Letters Patent is our true Founding Document and first Constitution as confirmed by the New Zealand Gazette Notices below.

Gazette Notices and Proclamations that made New Zealand into an Independent British Colony.

THE NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

(PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY)

No 12] KORORAREKA BAY OF ISLANDS, MAY 6, 1841 [ GRATIS.

DECLARATION OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF NEW ZEALAND, AND THE

APPOINTMENT OF HIS EXCELLENCY, CAPTAIN WILLIAM HOBSON, RN

 AS GOVERNOR IN CHIEF IN AND OVER THE SAME.

THE CAPITAL.

By the latest accounts from Auckland we learn that the “James” had arrived from London bearing HIS EXCELLENCY’S Commission as Governor in Chief, in and over the Islands of New Zealand, and her Majesty’s Order in Council for their separation from New South Wales. His EXCELLENCY was pleased to appoint Monday last for Proclaiming the same, and shortly afterwards a Levee was to have been held. In the Evening HIS EXCELLENCY was to have given a grand Dinner at Government House, to which all the elite of Auckland and the surrounding country have received invitations.

KORORAREKA.

Early in the morning of Monday last, the day appointed for Proclaiming HIS EXCELLENCY as Governor in Chief, &c., we were proud to observe the ships in the harbour decorated with numerous flags. At noon they fired a Salute in honor of the occasion. The Union Jack floated in front of the stores of Messrs Henry Thompson and Co., over the premises of Messrs Edney and Hemmings, and also at the Flag Staff Hill.

THE ILLUMINATIONS.

It is impossible for us in our limited space to describe the demonstrations of joy the inhabitants manifested in the evening on the happy occasion. Illuminations – fire-works – burning of tar barrels – firing of muskets and pistols from the hills and all parts of the Town – the parading of a band of music through the streets – the rejoicing of the Mauries – their war and other dances – all tended to make it one of the happiest possible. Among the best illuminated premises we noticed the Russell Hotel, which was very brilliant, as were those of Messrs Edney and Hemmings, on the Beach Mr. Dunn’s Inn, York street, Wood’s Hotel, the Gazette Printing Office, Captain Clayton’s new house, Mr Fenton’s &c., &c. The night was remarkably clear – the reflections of the red blaze from the Town mingling with the softened light from the “young May moon” falling upon the sparkling waters of the Bay produced a charming effect. There could not be less than two hundred Mauries on the Beach during the evening. We regret that His Excellency had not witnessed the fervour of their rejoicing. Several of the men carried muskets and powder flasks – many Maurie boys carried small flags on handsomely carved batteaus(?) – and the females, also, vied with their partners in their manifestations of delight. The entire proceedings happily passed over without the slightest accident.

A party of Gentlemen were entertained at dinner by Henry Thompson, Esq., at his residence, Kororareka, – for the particulars of which we are indebted to a gentleman who was present. Although the party consisted of Mr. Thompson’s own friends, yet it was purely a public dinner, and was given by him in honor of His Excellency’s Appointment to the Governorship-in-Chief of New Zealand. The guests were – Captain Beckham, our Police Magistrate, Robert Fitzgerald, Esq., the newly appointed Police Magistrate, Frederick Whittaker, Esq., Captain Anwyl, John Scott Esq., W. S. Graham Esq., Captain Peil, Alexander Kennedy, Esq., Eugene Cafler, Esq., Daniel Pollen Esq., M.D. and John Hoggard Esq. Mr Thompson acted as Chairman, and Mr Grahame as vice Chairman. The cloth having been removed the usual toasts of – The Queen and the infant Princess – Prince Albert and the Royal Family – and the Army and Navy – were proposed and drank with all the honors. John Scott Esq., replied to the last toast on behalf of the Army with all the enthusiasm which should belong to every British Officer, and which he strongly felt at the announcement of the toast, as it recalled to his recollection those happy days of his life when he had the honor of belonging to that glorious establishment. The Chairman now called for bumpers – rose to propose the Toast of the Day and spoke as follows: Gentlemen, – we have assembled here this day for the purpose of celebrating an event of the highest importance in our admired land. At noon of this day His Excellency the Governor proclaimed New Zealand a distinct and independent Colony – an event which will live long in our memories, and will form the subject of conversation of many a future and happy hour. But, gentlemen, we have met here more particularly for the purpose of doing honor to His Excellency Captain Hobson, on his appointment to the Governorship-in-Chief of New Zealand – a measure, which has produced in my breast, and which I am certain, will be responded to by every heart present – but one feeling, namely, that of unmingled delight. Had there been time since our arrival here, which was only yesterday, to have called a public dinner, it certainly would have been done, and even yet if one is got up, I have no doubt all present will be happy to attend. But it seemed to me that our rejoicings at Kororareka should be simultaneous with those at Auckland. Accordingly, Gentlemen, I avail myself of the pleasure of your company on this day, to what may be termed a private public dinner. Gentlemen, – His Excellency, previous to his arrival in this Colony, had already earned for himself a name, which guaranteed its descent into posterity. It was his good fortune to distinguish himself in an elevated position in the service of his Country. He belongs, Gentlemen, to the most glorious Establishment – to the most formidable armada that ever graced and terrified the world. His Excellency has now, however, entered on an entirely different sphere, and there can be no doubt that the same energy – the same judgment, and the same ability that qualified him so well for Naval Command will fit him for the high office to which it has pleased Her Majesty to appoint him.

To Captain Hobson’s amiability, to his love of justice, to his strict regard for economy, and to his sterling integrity. I can bear witness; and that he may be an excellent Governor, it is only necessary that he should have around him good and faithful Councillors – men of informed and independent minds –

 

THE NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

(PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY)

No 13] KORORAREKA BAY OF ISLANDS, MAY 13, 1841 [ GRATIS.

PROCLAMATION

BY HIS EXCELLENCY CAPTAIN WILLIAM HOBSON, GOVERNOR AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF IN AND OVER THE COLONY OF NEW ZEALAND AND ITS DEPENDENCIES.

 

WHEREAS HER MAJESTY has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date the Sixteenth Day of November, in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty, to erect the ISLANDS of NEW ZEALAND into a SEPARATE TERRITORY by the Name of HER MAJESTY’S Colony of NEW ZEALAND: Now, therefore I THE GOVERNOR AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF, by COMMISION under the GREAT SEAL appointed, do hereby Notify and Proclaim that under Her Majesty’s said LETTERS PATENT the ISLANDS of NEW ZEALAND are henceforth to be designated and known as HER MAJESTY’S Colony of NEW ZEALAND and its DEPENDENCIES. And I do hereby further Notify and Proclaim, that Her Majesty has been pleased to direct that the Three Principal Islands of NEW ZEALAND hereafter or commonly Called – “THE NORTHERN ISLAND,” “THE MIDDLE ISLAND,” AND STEWART’S ISLAND” shall henceforth be designated and known respectively as “NEW ULSTER,” “NEW MUNSTER” AND “NEW LEINSTER,” of which all Her Majesty’s Subjects are hereby required to take Notice. GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL AT GOVERNMENT-HOUSE, AUCKLAND, THIS 3RD DAY OF MAY, IN THE FOURTH YEAR OF HER MAJESTY’S REIGN, AND IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND FORTY-ONE.

 

By His Excellency’s Command, (SIGNED)

 

WILLOUGHBY SHORTLAND. W. HOBSON, GOVERNOR.

 

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN.

 

PROCLAMATION.

BY HIS EXCELLENCY CAPTAIN WILLIAM HOBSON, GOVERNOR AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF IN AND OVER THE COLONY OF NEW ZEALAND AND ITS DEPENDENCIES. &c., &c., &c,

WHEREAS HER MAJESTY has been graciously pleased, by Commission under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date the sixteenth day of November, in the Year of our Lord 1840, to constitute and Appoint me, WILLIAM HOBSON, ESQUIRE, CAPTAIN IN HER MAJESTY’S ROYAL NAVY, to be GOVERNOR AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF in and over Her Majesty’s Colony of New Zealand and its Dependencies.

NOW THEREFORE I the GOVERNOR and COMMANDER –IN-CHIEF aforesaid, do hereby Proclaim and Declare that I have this day have taken the prescribed Oaths and assumed the Administration of the Government accordingly. And I do hereby further Proclaim and Declare, that Her Majesty Has been pleased to appoint an EXECUTIVE COUNCIL for the said Colony, and to nominate and appoint the undermentioned Persons to be Members thereof, – That is to say:-

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY OF THE SAID COLONY FOR THE TIME BEING

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE SAID COLONY FOR THE TIME BEING

THE COLONIAL TREASURER OF THE SAID COLONY FOR THE TIME BEING

And I do hereby Proclaim and Declare, that Her Majesty has been further pleased to Appoint a LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL for the said Colony of New Zealand and its Dependencies, – and to Appoint and Direct that such Legislative Council shall be formed and shall consist of the following Members:-

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR FOR THE TIME BEING

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY FOR THE TIME BEING

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR THE TIME BEING

THE COLONIAL TREASURER for the time being, AND

THE THREE SENIOR JUSTICES OF THE PEACE, nominated as such in any Commission of the Peace to be issued by me, the said GOVERNOR AND COMMANDER- IN-CHIEF, or by the Governor or Acting-Governor for the time being. The GOVERNOR, fully impressed with the magnitude and importance of the duties thus confided to him, is supported by the hope that Almighty God will bless his best efforts to give full effect to these Her Majesty’s most gracious measures for the establishment of Peace and Order in this important Colony; and he relies with confidence on the loyalty of the Colonists, and on their hearty cooperation with the Government in cultivating those feelings of mutual good will which alone can insure to them the future benefit of Her Majesty’s solicitude for their welfare and prosperity.

The GOVERNOR avails himself of this occasion to appeal to the good feelings of the Colonists generally in favour of their fellow subjects of the NATIVE RACE, who require only instruction and good example to become equal to Europeans in moral, as they are already in physical attainments, and to point out to all who really have the true interests of the Country at heart, the propriety of conciliating their affection by making every charitable allowance for their defects, and by conducting all intercourse with them in a spirit of justice and forbearance. The GOVERNOR trusts that he will be afforded the satisfaction of hereafter knowing, that His endeavours for the accomplishment of Her Majesty’s gracious and benign views have not been employed in vain.

Given under my Hand and Seal at Government House, Auckland, this 3rd day of May, in the Fourth Year of Her Majesty’s Reign, and in the year of our Lord one Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty-one.

(signed)

 

WILLIAM HOBSON,

GOVERNOR.

Colonial Secretary’s Office, Auckland, 3d May 1841

 

HIS EXCELLENCY, THE GOVERNOR has been pleased to appoint the undermentioned Gentlemen to the MAGISTRATES of the Territory of New Zealand, viz.:

Beckham, Thomas Hanson, R. Davis Bunbury, Thomas Hunter, George Clarke, George Johnson, John Coates, James Mair, Gilbert Wakefield, William Cooper, George McDonogh, Arthur Edward Symonds, William Cornwallis, Dawson, Gilbert Francis Martin, S., M.D. Clendon, James Reddie Fisher, Francis Mathew, Felton Fitzgerald, Robert A. Murphy, Michael Godfrey, Edward Lee Powditch, William Halswell, Edward Store Richmond, Mathew

 

THE NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

(PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY)

No 17] KORORAREKA BAY OF ISLANDS, June 24, 1841 [ GRATIS.

First Sitting Of THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF NEW ZEALAND.

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR, according to notice, opened the first Session of the Legislative Council of New Zealand, on the 24th May alt.

Honorable. W.SHORTLAND, Colonial Secretary,

Honorable FRANCIS FISHER, Attorney General,

Honorable GEORGE COOPER, Colonial Treasurer,

E.S.HALSWELL, Esq., one of three Senior Justices,

Being present received the Oaths and took their Seats in the Legislative Council accordingly.

JAMES COATS, Esq., was appointed Clerk of the Council, and took the Oaths of Office.

HIS EXCELLENCY then delivered the following SPEECH :-

I have availed myself of this early period to assemble the Members of the Legislative Council for the purpose of bringing under consideration, certain measures, which the altered circumstances of the Colony seem to me urgently to require. At this our first Meeting, I deem it proper to draw your attention, not only to the Royal Charter, but to the highly important Instructions under the Royal Signet and Sign Manual, which accompany it. The Charter as you are already aware, erects the Islands of New Zealand, and certain Dependencies, into a separate Colony, under the Superintendence of a Governor and Commander-in-Chief. It constitutes a Legislative Council, who are empowered to enact Laws and Ordinances for the Local Government of the Colony. It authorises the establishment of Courts of Justice, and the issue of Commissions of the Peace—and, in fact brings into complete operation, British Laws, throughout the whole Colony of New Zealand.

The Instructions under the Royal Signet and Sign Manual more particularly define the functions of the Governor and Council, and in a clear, perspicuous manner point out the duties of each. In order that you, Gentlemen, may have an opportunity of acquainting yourselves with those particular duties, I have directed the Instructions to be laid on the table, and kept open for your perusal in the Council Chamber.

I regret that I cannot at the present Meeting, lay before you the estimates of the following year, which, although in a forward state of preparation, are incomplete, owing to the non-arrival of the directions from the Lords of the Treasury, of which I am advised, and which may be daily expected.

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR, continues: GENTLEMEN, –I shall lay before you an Ordinance for the present re-adoption of all such Acts of New South Wales as were in force previous to our separation, and are now applicable to this Colony. It is not my intention, however, eventually to propose for your adoption, the Laws of New South Wales, but it will be my endeavour, during the recess, aided by the advice and assistance of the Law Officers of the Crown, to prepare for your consideration, such Laws as will best provide for the Administration of Justice, and the contingencies of social life, which may be expected to arise in New Zealand, therefore the measures now proposed to you, must be deemed temporary, and contingent as resulting from the present peculiar condition of the Colony. By command of Her Majesty I will bring under your consideration, the Repeal of the Land Commission Act, and submit for your adoption, an Ordinance for the same general purposes, but granting to the Governor of New Zealand, the same powers as those heretofore enjoyed by the Governor of New South Wales. I will likewise lay before you, Bills for the Regulation and Collection of the Revenue of Her Majesty’s Customs, for establishing Courts of Quarter Sessions and Requests, and for the prohibition of Distillation. – These, Gentlemen, are the only subjects for the present, on which I shall require you to deliberate.

GENTLEMEN, –We have a solemn and important duty to perform: by our means conflicting interests are to be reconciled; Harmony and Tranquility established, and measures are to be adopted for improving and elevating the character of the Aboriginal Inhabitants. In this salutary work, I confidently look for your cordial assistance and cooperation, and I trust under Devine Providence, we shall be enabled to accomplish these important objects, and give effect to Her Majesty’s gracious and benign views for the welfare, prosperity, and Civilization of this Colony.

After laying on the Table the Indemnity Bill, THE GOVERNOR adjourned the Council until

Thursday, 27th May 1841.

Queen Victoria’s Royal Charter/Letters Patent 1840.

 

 

A pristine copy of Queen Victoria’s Royal Charter of 1840 should be in pride of place in every school and government building in New Zealand instead of the Treaty of Waitangi. It is our true Founding Document and first Constitution, a document all New Zealanders should be extremely proud to honour. Let’s all join forces and make it happen.

CONCLUSION by Ross Baker, Researcher, ONZF.

Any breach against the Crown after the 21 May 1840 can only be a breach against the laws of New South Wales or New Zealand and not the Treaty of Waitangi. New Zealand did not come under the laws of England until the 21 May 1840, after the Treaty had served its purpose. All alleged claims against the Crown since 1975 should have been heard by our Justice System where all New Zealand citizens could have participated as they were in the 1930’s and 1940’s when most of the recent claims were “fully and finally” settled. They should not have been heard by the apartheid Waitangi Tribunal or the Crown that allows our history and the Treaty of Waitangi to be continually distorted to allow these claims to proceed. The Treaty of Waitangi and/or Queen Victoria’s Royal Charter/Letters Patent gave no exclusive rights to Maori; we were all given the same rights under one flag and one law, irrespective of race, colour or creed!

A pristine copy of Queen Victoria’s Royal Charter of 1840 should be in pride of place in every school and government building in New Zealand instead of the Treaty of Waitangi. It is our true Founding Document and first Constitution, a document all New Zealanders should be extremely proud to honour.

 

  Let’s all join forces and make it happen!