One New Zealand Foundation Inc.

Lt. Governor Hobson’s One Treaty – One Principle.

“He iwi tahi tatou – We are now one people”.

Why do people continue to try to write Principles on the Treaty of Waitangi when Lt Governor Hobson gave us the true meaning, “He iwi tahi tatou – We are now one people”, no more, no less.  These are the only words Hobson spoke in the Maori language, explaining to those gathered, about 2000 Maori and settlers, the true meaning of the Treaty of Waitangi at Waitangi on 6 February 1940. New Zealand at the time was under the dependency of New South Wales.

When Lt Governor Hobson drafted the Treaty of Waitangi, he made a point of being able to fully explain to the chiefs, in their own language, what the Treaty meant when they signed it.

After each of the 49 chiefs had signed the Treaty of Waitangi at Waitangi on 6 February 1840, Lt Governor Hobson shook their hand and pledged, “He iwi tahi tatou – We are now one people”. Maori were now British Subjects with the same rights as the people of England, no more – no less.

Since this time, many people have tried to twist the Treaty to say many things, but as Lt Governor Hobson stated at the time, it only said one thing, “He iwi tahi tatou – We are now one people”.  No mention was made of a Partnership or that Maori would have special rights over their fellow British Subjects, just “He iwi tahi tatou – We are now one people”.

When Hobson became ill, this was the instruction he gave to those collecting further signatures. “The treaty which forms the base of all my proceedings was signed at Waitangi on the 6 February 1840, by 52 chiefs, 26 of whom were of the federation, and formed a majority of those who signed the Declaration of Independence. This instrument I consider to be de facto the treaty, and all signatures that are subsequently obtained are merely testimonials of adherence to the terms of that original document”. Lt. Governor Hobson.

“He iwi tahi tatou – We are now one people’”. No more, no less.

This shows the Treaty of Waitangi only played a very small role in New Zealand becoming a British Colony as it only made Maori British Subjects with the same rights as the people of England. No more, no less. Once signed, the Treaty of Waitangi had achieved its purpose and was filed away.

Queen Victoria’s Royal Charter/Letters Patent dated the 16 November 1840, issued under, “The Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland”, then separated New Zealand from New South Wales dependency and made New Zealand into a British Colony with a Governor and Constitution that set up New Zealand’s political, legal and justice systems under one flag and one law, irrespective of race colour or creed.                                                                

See: http://onenzfoundation.co.nz/the-six-documents-that-made-new-zealand-into-a-british-colony/

No one has the right to rewrite Lt Governor Hobson’s One Treaty Principle, “He iwi tahi tatou – we are now one people”.  Any principle other than Lt Governor Hobson’s is a fraud and must be ignored at all costs! Lt Governor Hobson gave one Principle, “He iwi tahi tatou – We are now one people”.  It’s a documented fact that cannot be denied or changed!

Researched by the One New Zealand Foundation Inc.  www.onenzfoundation.co.nz. 1/10/2024.