The Declaration of Independence of New Zealand

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE OF NEW ZEALAND

28 OCTOBER 1835

is an international declaration
recognises the sovereignty of the Independent Tribes of N.Z.
was signed on 28 October 1835
was witnessed by the Crown Resident
was the forerunner of the Treaty of Waitangi
has a flag to symbolise tribal rights to trade as independent nations
has been ignored by NZ governments and the education system

1. We the hereditary chiefs and heads of the tribes of the Northem parts of New Zealand, being assembled at Waitangi in the Bay of Islands, on this 28th day of October, 1835, declare the independence of our country which is hereby constituted and declared to be an Independent State under the designation of the United Tribes of New Zealand.

2. All sovereign power and authority within the territories of the united tribes of New Zealand is hereby declared to reside entirely and exclusively in the hereditary chiefs and heads of tribes in their collective capacity, who also declare that they will not permit any Legislative authority separate from themselves in their collective capacity, nor any function of government to be exercised within the said territories, unless by persons appointed by them and acting under the authority of laws regularly enacted by them in Congress assembled.

3 The hereditary chiefs and heads of tribes agree to meet in Congress at Waitangi in the autumn of each year for the purpose of framing laws for the dispensation of justice, the preservation of peace and good order, and the regulation of trade. They also cordially invite the southern tribes to lay aside their private animosities and To consult the safety and welfare of our common country by joining the Confederation of the United Tribes.

4. They also agree to send a copy of this Declaration to His Majesty the King of England to thank him for his acknowledgement of their flag. In return for the friendship and protection that they have shown and are prepared to show to such of his subjects as have settled in their country or resorted to its shores for the purposes of trade, they entreat that he will continue to be the parent of their infant State, to protect it from all attempts upon its independence.

Agreed to in its entirety by us on this 28th day of October, 1835, in the presence of His Britannic Majesty's Resident.

Māori Language Home Page | Māori Version

This text supplied by Te Whakakotahitanga o nga Iwi o Aotearoa/The Maori Congress and distributed by the Federation of WEAs in Aotearoa New Zealand in alliance with Network Waitangi Ōtautahi. Copies are available from 87 Soleares Avenue, Ōtautahi (Christchurch) 8008. Ph/Fx (03) 384-1281.

Last updated 6 February 2001. Contact me.