He Whakaputanga - The Declaration of Independence

Big changes are afoot for the indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand. European whalers and sealers have begun camping along the beaches. Māori are quick to recognise new prospects for trade — and at first the future looks promising. However, as more and more settlers arrive, challenges begin to arise regarding land and the disregard of Māori tikanga. Māori chiefs begin to meet to manage these changes. After 25 years of meeting together a document is prepared called He Whakaputanga. This document declares the independence of the chiefs and is designed to secure their future — and was to become a foundation stone that would make Te Tiriti o Waitangi possible.