The Story of a Treaty

In recent years the Treaty of Waitangi has been at the forefront of debate about relations between Maori and Pakeha in New Zealand. As many Maori have begun to challenge the European record in fulfilling Treaty promises, many Pakeha have begun to look more critically at their own history. Both are asking questions and searching for answers.

The Story of a Treaty takes a fresh look at the Treaty’s origins, history and meanings. Beginning with the arrival of Captain James Cook in 1769, author Claudia Orange takes us through the earliest years of European settlement to the signing of the Treaty in 1840, through the land wars of the 1860s, and into the twentieth century. Today Maori struggles for autonomy have gained a new momentum.

Highly illustrated and simply expressed, The Story of a Treaty provides a concise background to the Treaty for high school students and general readers alike.

Claudia Orange’s Treaty of Waitangi won the Goodman Fielder Wattie Award in 1988.

Endorsements                                              

'Every secondary school should purchase a class set and every home should have a copy.' New Zealand Listener

'With astonishing command of the material Claudia Orange lets our history, hidden and mute for so long, speak for itself.' Dominion Sunday Times

'A comprehensive readable account of a significant aspect of our history and goes some way to removing the sense of mystification many modern-day pakeha feel towards the Treaty of Waitangi.' Historical News

'Excellent reading for those who wish to become more informed about the history of Aotearoa.' Bay of Plenty Times

Contents                                                       

1. An independent New Zealand 
2. Making a treaty 
3. Kawanatanga and rangatiratanga: Government authority and chiefly authority 
4. The colonial government takes charge: 1870–1900 
5. Two peoples – one nation: The twentieth century