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Story: Te Tiriti o Waitangi – the Treaty of Waitangi

Reconstruction of the treaty signing

Video file

This dramatic 2011 reconstruction of the first treaty signing at Waitangi in 1840 shows the confusion and mixed motives among the Māori rangatira present. The prominent chief Hōne Heke was the first to place his signature on the treaty. Before any others could do so, another rangatira, Marupō, made an impassioned speech urging them not to sign away their mana. However, after a moment's hesitation, other rangatira signed the treaty.

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How to cite this page

Claudia Orange, Te Tiriti o Waitangi – the Treaty of Waitangi – Creating te Tiriti o Waitangi – the Treaty of Waitangi, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/video/36340/reconstruction-of-the-treaty-signing (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Claudia Orange, published 5 June 2012, reviewed and revised 28 March 2023 with assistance from Claudia Orange. It was translated into te reo Māori by Basil Keane.