It is said that, in 1835, He Wakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tirene (the Declaration of Independence of New Zealand) was drawn up by British Resident James Busby without authorisation from his superiors. It asserted the independence of New Zealand, with all sovereign power and authority resting with the hereditary chiefs and tribes. By 1839 the declaration had been signed by 52 Māori chiefs.
Then, after 5 years, on the 5 February a draft of the Treaty in English and Māori was discussed before about 500 Māori and 200 Pākehā. Here it is not mentioned how any chiefs were present. Many Māori were suspicious of what was intended. The meeting was reassembled on 6 February; the text was read again, and signing commenced. About 40 chiefs signed on the first day; So how many didn't sign? Also what happened to the 52 chiefs who signed before?
Later, on 21 May, William Hobson proclaimed sovereignty over all of New Zealand - over the North Island on the basis of cession through the Treaty of Waitangi and over the southern islands by right of discovery. Wow! This is unbelievable! Then his deputy, Major Thomas Bunbury, also made proclamations of sovereignty over Stewart Island on 5 June by right of discovery (he claimed that no Māori could be found there to sign the Treaty), and over the South Island on 17 June by virtue of cession. Shocking! By the way, Māori agreement to the terms of the Treaty was still being sought. And here are few Tribes from South Island:
- Ngāi Tahu - with strong historical and cultural ties to the South Island, including Canterbury and Stewart Island. They are the largest Māori tribe in the South Island and have significant ancestral connections to the region.
- Ngāti Mamoe - historically occupied parts of the Canterbury region before the arrival of Ngāi Tahu.
- Waitaha - they were early inhabitants of the Canterbury area before the arrival of Ngāi Tahu and Ngāti Mamoe.
- Ngāti Apa ki Te Rā Tō: they have traditional territory in the northern part of the South Island, including Marlborough and Nelson regions.
- Ngāti Koata: with ancestral ties to the Nelson and Marlborough regions of the South Island.
- Ngāti Kuia: with historical connections to the Marlborough and Nelson regions of the South Island.
- Ngāti Rārua: with historical and cultural ties to the northern part of the South Island, particularly in the Nelson region.
- Te Atiawa: with connections to various parts of the South Island, including the Marlborough, Nelson, and Canterbury regions.
- Ngāti Toa Rangatira: While primarily associated with the Wellington region in the North Island, Ngāti Toa Rangatira also has some historical connections to parts of the northern South Island, including the Marlborough region.
Later it was advertised that by September 1840 another 500 chiefs around the country had signed. Then it is stated that almost all of the chiefs signed copies of the Māori text of the Treaty. However, how many chiefs were there in total? And how many chiefs didn't accept to sign?
So how come in the meeting only 40 chiefs were present out of 540?
Upon a simple examination, it becomes evident that their actions not only violated the law but also demonstrated an extreme level of unreasonableness.
On 1841, Native Protectorate Department was created. Lay missionary George Clarke became chief protector of aborigines (although they were originals). Clarke and his staff were also given a second and conflicting role as land purchasers for the Crown. And very clearly corruptions continued, following wars and genocide! The war period extended over a decade.
In the historical context, the Maori population in 1769 was estimated to be 100,000. Over time, the population subjected to a significant decline due to various factors such as genocide, war, disease outbreaks, conflicts, and societal changes. By 1840, the estimated population ranged from 70,000 to 90,000. Subsequently, in 1858, during Francis Fenton's census, the Maori population was reported to be around 60,000, representing only three-fifths of the population at the time of Captain Cook's arrival.
Within just 34 years after the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840, the Maori population had diminished to less than one-tenth of the total national population in 1874. This dramatic decrease raises concerns about the survival of the Maori culture and people.
During this period, the estimated number of deaths among the Maori population, from all causes combined, was approximately 120,000. This translates to an average annual death toll of 4,000. By 1896, the number of deaths had reached a low point of about 42,000.
These figures led to grave concerns about the survival of the Maori people. Some predictions at the time suggested that the Maori population was on the verge of extinction, having lost more than half of their total population within 56 years.
If we consider the historical scenario where 540 chiefs signed the treaty, we can speculate on the remaining tribes. Assuming three possible scenarios, ranging from 30 chiefs who didn't sign to 135 chiefs who didn't sign, the estimated average number of tribes would be 615.
Based on the assumption of an initial Maori population of 100,000, and dividing it equally among the estimated 615 tribes, each tribe would consist of approximately 162 people.
Taking into account the estimated death toll of 58,000 Māori during this period, we can speculate that the majority of deaths should have occurred among the oppositional factions rather than the chiefs who signed the treaty. However, even if we assume an equal distribution of deaths among the 615 tribes, resulting in an average of 94 deaths per tribe, this would still represent a significant loss of life. With each tribe consisting of approximately 162 people, the calculated death rate would be approximately 58%. Now, isn't it reasonable to assume that the death rate for oppositional tribes, who were at war, were at least double, if not higher, than the tribes who signed the Treaty? Then in that case, almost all of them were extinct, died, or dismantled!
The figures, under any reasonable scenario, present a grim situation for each tribe, with a high percentage of the population lost to death. The implications for the oppositional factions and the overall impact on Maori society are profound and raise questions about the responsibility and consequences of the events that unfolded during this period.
And they say it was just colonising not Genocide! That is why they predicted Māori as a dying race! And that is why, we do not have a single Māori alive who has Māori parents and not mixed.
You try any scenarios you wish. The numbers are devastating, and under any scenarios! The people of the land who were in good shape, progressing and expanding, all the sudden instead of growing, all the Māori people decline rapidly!
Even their estimations indicate that numerous tribes faced extinction, and or leaving only a few survivors, such as children or women, to carry forward their stories and experiences.
About 24% was estimated for Tutsi people who survived in their Genocide in Rawanda, which was reported as one of the worst events ever! However, some Maori tribes could have easily got no survival and or much lesser surviving rate, and never reported!
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