Post by @jeremy_pm@mastodon.nz

Here's a really basic history lesson:

#Aotearoa #NewZealand is the only British colony where the indigenous people, Māori, declared sovereignty over the land.

He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni, is the 1835 Declaration of Independence of New Zealand. This is a foundational document by which northern Māori chiefs asserted their collective sovereign authority and independence as a nation.

James Busby assisted in having this Declaration immediately sent to the colonial office in Britain where it was finally received by King William VI who recognised #Māori authority by registering the first flag of Nu Tireni - Te Kara. By July 1839, another 18 rangatira (chiefs) from around Aotearoa had put their mark to the parchment.

When the founding document of NZ #TeTiritioWaitangi was signed by most not all Māori rangatira (Chiefs) 1840 it was an agreement between 2 sovereigns - Māori and the British Crown for co-existence in partnership.

Māori never ceded their sovereignty but remained powerless against the colonial govt that never honored the founding document.

Today, the Treaty of Waitangi still protects #Aotearoa #NewZealand from foreign exploitation of much of NZ's resources which is why these hard right #NZPol agents of groups such as #AtlasNetwork are determined to dismantle the treaty for foreign exploitation.

Follow the Money.