Kaikoura History - Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) was signed by Ngāi Tahu raNgātiratanga in 1840, marking the beginning of what Ngāi Tahu saw as a partnership between the iwi and the Crown. The Treaty gave the right to govern to the Crown, but guaranteed to iwi the full exclusive and undisturbed possession of their lands, forests, fisheries and other properties (Article 1 and 2 respectively).
Article the Second:
Māori Text: "Ko te Kuini o Ingarani ka wakarite ka wakaae ki nga RaNgātira, ki nga Hapu, ki nga tangata katoa o Nu Tirani, te tino raNgātiratanga o ratou wenua o ratou kainga me o ratou taonga katoa. Otiia ko nga RaNgātira o te Wakaminenga me nga RaNgātira 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 wakarite ai e ratou ko te kai hoko e meatia nei i te Kuini hei kai hoko mona".
English Text:"Her Majesty the Queen of England confirms and guarantees to the Chiefs and Tribes of New Zealand to the respective families and individuals thereof the full exclusive and undisturbed possession of their Lands and Estates, Forests, Fisheries and other properties which they may collectively or individually possess so long as it is their wish and desire to retain the same in their possession….".
Ref: Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura (2005). TE POHA O TOHU RAUMATI: Te Mahere Whakahaere Taiao o Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura 2005/Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura Environmental Management Plan 2005.