Story: History

When Britain finally decided to annex New Zealand, it took possession of the country not on the grounds of discovery or by force of arms, but by signing a treaty with the Māori people. Under the Treaty of Waitangi of 1840, Māori passed sovereignty to Britain in return for guarantees about their land and other possessions. No pictures were made at the time the treaty was signed. This reconstruction of the event, painted by Marcus King in 1939, is idealised but includes many of the key figures who were present.