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Story: Te Tiriti o Waitangi – the Treaty of Waitangi

Treaty protest posters: ‘What is there to celebrate?’

This 1980s poster, in the form of a cartoon strip, portrays Māori as disadvantaged in the education system, employment opportunities, the courts, health services and other areas of society. It was one of many publications by the vigorous Māori self-determination movement, which was supported by Pākehā anti-racism activists.

Using this item

Waikato Museum - Te Whare Taonga o Waikato

Reference: 1985/85/30

Permission of Waikato Museum – Te Whare Taonga o Waikato must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Claudia Orange, Te Tiriti o Waitangi – the Treaty of Waitangi – Honouring te tiriti – 1940 to 2000s, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/zoomify/36377/treaty-protest-posters-what-is-there-to-celebrate (accessed 3 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.