Ross Baker
Researcher, One New Zealand Foundation Inc
EST: 1988.
Courtney Johnston
CEO of Te Papa,
Wellington.
Dear Sir,
Re: Te Papa’s CEO must take a long hard look at what Te Papa displays!
I have been a researcher for the One New Zealand Foundation Inc. since its formation in 1988. The One New Zealand Foundation Inc only uses New Zealand, Australian and American Archives, plus the British Parliamentary Papers for its research. Unfortunately, many of the vital historical documents have been removed from the New Zealand Archives and that is the reason we use overseas Archives that were involved with New Zealand becoming a British Colony in 1841.
Since the defacing of the English version of the Treaty of Waitangi at Te Papa, the CEO must take a long hard look at what Te Papa displays!
Lt. Governor Hobson made it perfectly clear when he became ill and gave these instructions to those collecting further signatures.
The treaty which forms the base of all my proceedings was signed at Waitangi on the 6 February 1840, by 52 chiefs, 26 of whom were of the federation, and formed a majority of those who signed the Declaration of Independence. This instrument I consider to be de facto the treaty, and all signatures that are subsequently obtained are merely testimonials of adherence to the terms of that original document.
There was no English version of the Treaty of Waitangi signed at Waitangi on 6 February 1840.
There was no mention of an English version in this statement for the simple reason: Lt. Governor Hobson did not make or authorise an English version. The English version was drafted by his secretary, James Freeman from Hobson’s and Busby’s rough, rejected notes. One of these versions was signed when space for signatures on the authorised CMS printed version of the Tiriti o Waitangi ran out at Waikato Heads. Only 39 chiefs signed this English version, which was attached to the CMS printed version of the Tiriti o Waitangi when signed. It is stated, Rev Maunsell collected 44 signatures, 5 on the CMS Printed Tiriti o Waitangi and 39 on the unauthorised English Version. Over 500 Maori chiefs signed the Tiriti o Waitangi on behalf of their people in 1840. Only 39 signed the unauthorised English version after having the CMS printed version read to them, then discussed before signing.
From researching New Zealand’s true history using the above Archives, there are 6 documents that made New Zealand into a British Colony under one flag and one law, irrespective of race colour or creed as fully explained by the attachment.
They are,
- Maori asked Britain to be their guardian and protector. (1831)
- The failed attempt for sovereignty by British Resident James Busby. (1835)
- Queen Victoria’s Royal Charter/Letters Patent dated 30 July 1839 that placed New Zealand under the dependency of New South Wales. (1839)
- The Tiriti o Waitangi which made Maori British Subjects with the same rights as the people of England. No more, no less. (1840)
- Queen Victoria’s Royal Charter/Letters Patent dated 16 November 1840 that separated New Zealand from New South Wales and made New Zealand into a British Colony with a Governor and Constitution that set up New Zealand’s political, legal and justice systems under one flag and one law, irrespective of race, colour or creed. (1840)
- First Sitting of the Legislative Council dated 24 May 1841 that set up New Zealand’s Legislative Council, Executive Council and granted certain powers and authority to the Governor.
Sir, the above 6 documents show the Tiriti o Waitangi only played a very small part in New Zealand’s true history. Not displaying these 6 documents, is misleading the people of New Zealand as there is no way they can understand their true history. See below.
The Six Documents that made New Zealand into a British Colony (002)Download
Te Papa is “The Museum of the People New Zealand”; therefore, it has a duty to give a balanced view of our history, and to do this, it needs to display the 6 documents that made New Zealand into a British Colony in 1841.
Yours sincerely,
Ross Baker.
Researcher, One New Zealand Foundation Inc, EST: 1988.
