Why Was A Treaty Needed?

Assessment

In the year 1830, there were around 200 Europeans and 100,000 Māori living in New Zealand. The Whalers behaviour, the Missionaries’ desire to help protect Māori rights and the Musket Wars were reasons that a treaty was in need. Another contributing factor to the need for a treaty was The Declaration of Independence. 

Due to the disruptive behaviour of some of the British Settlers like the Whalers, was one of the reasons that a treaty was needed. Once the Whalers had arrived at Kororareka or also known as Russell, their attitude and behaviour had changed in which fighting and drinking had occurred. Their behaviour and attitude had changed due to them being out at sea for months at a time and the lack of entertainment while on-board. As a result of this, a treaty was in need to help calm the behaviours of the Whalers.

Missionaries had a strong feeling in helping the Māori protect their rights. This was another reason for needing a treaty. This is important because missionaries wanted to protect Māori. There was a good relationship between the two as well as the missionaries teaching Māori to read and write. The Missionaries wanted to help Māori protect their rights as they were worried for their well-being as well as them being killed or enslaved as a result of the Musket Wars. A treaty was needed in a situation like this to help the Missionaries try and help Māori protect their rights.

Another reason for needing a treaty was during the Musket Wars. The Musket Wars happened in the years 1807-1842 in which over 20,000 people were killed. Nga Puhi was the first tribe to get muskets by trading any necessities the Europeans wanted. Population and power changed within both groups. A treaty was needed to help prevent war breaking out between Māori tribes and helping control the use of muskets.

Now the final reason for needing a treaty was because of the existence of the Declaration of Independence. Interestingly, October 28th 1835 was the date the Declaration of Independence was signed. On this day 52 chiefs signed the Declaration of Independence. They signed this because the declaration was about trading with the British. The biggest impact this had was trading in legal terms and Māori gaining full power over New Zealand. However, the treaty established the laws of people living in New Zealand whereas the declaration didn’t.

This essay has demonstrated that a treaty was needed due to the Whalers behaviour, the Missionaries’ desire to help protect Māori rights and the Musket Wars. The events of the Musket Wars show that the biggest impacts the wars had on New Zealand was gaining more land, power and population. Power and population changes as well as how trading happened are two things we can learn from this topic. All these things have clearly stated reasons for why a treaty was needed.