As Aotearoa celebrates Waitangi Day today, 1 NEWS at 6pm anchor Simon Dallow runs us through what happened in the Bay of Islands on February 6, 1840 - in this virtual reality graphic.
British ships were anchored in the bay. A large tent made out of a ship’s sails was put up on the lawn in front of the house of James Busby, the British representative who helped draft the Treaty of Waitangi.
Forty-three Māori rangitira (chiefs) signed the document in the presence of William Hobson, first Governor of New Zealand and co-author of the Treaty.
Among the first to sign was influential Ngaphui chief Hone Heke, who later rebelled against British rule, and Te Ruki Kawati - despite being strongly opposed to the signing.
As each put their name or moko on the document, Hobson said, "He iwi tahi tatou", meaning - "We are now one people".
Following the signing, the Treaty was taken around New Zealand and by the end of 1840 about 500 others had signed including 13 women. Not all rangatira signed.
More 1 NEWS Waitangi coverage in these videos:
1 NEWS Māori Affairs reporter Yvonne Tahana has this report. (Source: Other)
February 6 has sparked discussions about how we should look at the Treaty. (Source: Other)
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