In 1830 there were about 100,000 Māori and about 100 Europeans living in New Zealand. The behaviour of the Whalers, the Missionaries’ desire to help protect Māori rights and the Musket Wars were reasons that a treaty was needed. The Declaration of Independence was another contributing factor to the need for a treaty.
The Maori needed a treaty for the lawless behaviour that was involved with the British settlers like the Whalers. They were at sea at months of the time and there were an estimated 200 British + 300 more whalers which have led to some bad things when they got on shore (Kororareka). It was considered a “hellhole” to people and needed to be settled with a treaty or else it would continue on and wreak havoc. One of the ways this was causing problems is because they were buying alcohol and they got drunk. Another way this was causing problems was because the sailors would be fighting with the local people after being drunk, and finally, prostitution was happening that left things bad for the Maori women. This chaotic behaviour was indeed going around and with a treaty, this would reduce the bad behaviour because it would offer security, which could help calm things down and make the Maori and Whalers, not a hellhole.
.Another reason that a treaty was needed was to protect Māori rights. One group that felt strongly about this was the missionaries. The missionaries had a really good relationship with the Maori. The missionaries worried about the musket wars that were going between the Maori tribes. Plus if the Maori were all killed, the missionaries would’ve wasted all that time and effort. This matters because they wanted to protect the Maori since they already had a developed relationship with them. This is because they taught them their religion. They also taught them the British way of life, and eventually, some new farming techniques. A treaty would have the Maori be protected.
Another reason that a treaty was needed was the Musket Wars. In 1800, 20,000+ people were killed due to the Musket Wars. Nga Puhi were the first tribe to get the muskets which were the inspiration to getting these weapons that spread across New Zealand. They also had to use flax, food etc to be able to get these weapons. If a treaty was needed, it depends on what the treaty was; everyone already had the muskets, and also everything was balanced and I’m sure that people would’ve traded it illegally anyways.
The final reason that a treaty was needed was the existence of the Declaration of Independence.
What is the Declaration of Independence? Interestingly, on 28th of October 1885 is the date of the Declaration of Independence in New Zealand. The declaration states the sovereignty that existed in 1835 and was designed to promote and protect the rights of Maori. About 34 chiefs have signed the Declaration of Independence. It had provided a portal for the Treaty of Waitangi negotiations. It also gave them freedom because if it breaks down they would have the Crown as a backup plan as the king would gain possession if anything had gone wrong. This would boost the relationship between the Crown and Maori. This was huge for the treaty signing.
In conclusion, a treaty was needed because of the sailors/whalers, keeping the relationship between the Missionaries and the Maori, for the musket wars to end and for the declaration of independence to work better for them. This would make New Zealand have better connections with the whole world and would have good relationships closer together. This would also help with laws in New Zealand they would be able to get a government that can allow the Maori to work better. This allowed us to live with the Maori people in which they can have a voice. I think that everything went well in the end just as today is a very peaceful place. This treaty (Treaty of Waitangi) is one of the most important things in New Zealand and everyone should take notice of that.
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