Treaty may return to Waitangi
AFTER 184 years, the Treaty of Waitangi could be on its way home for good — although is not yet known when that will be. Speaking to RNZ, Waitangi National Trust Board chairman and Ngati Hine leader Pita Tipene said discussions around the potential return of the documents had been ongoing since board members met officials two years ago.
Board members also met Archives NZ chief archivist Anahera Morehu a few days before this year’s Waitangi Day commemorations, he said.
In a statement to RNZ, Ms Morehu confirmed Internal Affairs — the department responsible for Archives NZ — had engaged in ‘‘early discussions with Ngapuhinuitonu ¯ to hear their wishes for these taonga’’.
‘‘We are open to hearing more from iwi about future options for where these documents could be housed, how they will be housed, and other considerations.
‘‘As we approach 2035 and 2040, the 200year anniversaries of He Whakaputanga and Te Tiriti, we expect to spend more time with iwi Maori ¯ and tangata Tiriti, discussing these important kaupapa.’’
Mr Tipene described the conversations as beginning ‘‘mutually’’ and conducted in good faith.
The board realised the work involved in housing the documents on the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, and everyone needed to be a part of the ongoing discussions, he said.
The nine sheets of the Treaty are currently being housed at the National Library in Wellington. They are part of the ‘‘ He Tohu’’ exhibition, opened to the public in 2017, alongside He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni — the 1835 Declaration of Independence and the 1893 Women’s Suffrage Petition.
The documents are housed in custombuilt display cases that employ precise environmental controls and lighting to prevent deterioration.