The Treaty and Me: What the Treaty of Waitangi means to New Zealanders

Wednesday, 1 August 2018

In a series of oral essays, New Zealanders share what the Treaty of Waitangi means to them.

The Treaty of Waitangi is the right thing to do. It's a bruising and 'profoundly destructive' process for Māori. It's the dream of our ancestors. It's legitimised theft.

As part of Stuff's series examining the Treaty of Waitangi settlement process, we are publishing a series of short oral essays about the Treaty and its impact on our shared country.

We have gathered a diverse range of stories, opinions and reflections from contributors around the country - both Māori and Pākehā.

In 60 seconds each, New Zealanders with a personal connection to the Treaty discuss its negotiation, breach, reconciliation, relevance, and its personal meaning to them.

The perspectives will be published over six days as part of the Stuff special project New Zealand Made/Nā Niu Tīreni.

* What the Treaty means for mana**

For some, the Treaty is a symbol of hope, the future, and mutual respect and belonging. Alessandra Keighley says the Treaty allows all New Zealanders to share one country and live together.

For others, it is fundamentally flawed, and forever entwined with a history of conflict, loss and pain. Dr Ella Henry says the settlement process pits Māori against one another in a way which will continue to impact on generations to come.

Manaia Cunningham says we are all linked by the Treaty - whether we like it or not.

Alessandra Keighley thinks the Treaty is a symbol of hope and belonging.

But as one contributor, Manaia Cunningham, says: 'Whether people like it or not, we are intrinsically linked by the Treaty.'