“In the Treaty of Waitangi we find the moral basis for our presence in Aotearoa New Zealand, and a vision that sets this country apart. We hold in our hands a great treasure – the opportunity to create a society that truly honours the rights of its indigenous peoples.” New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference, 1995
The New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference has at many times affirmed the importance of the Treaty of Waitangi as a covenant between Māori as the original inhabitants of Aotearoa New Zealand and the British Crown.
As Pope John Paul II reminded us when he visited in 1986:
“The Māori people have maintained their identity in this land. The peoples coming from Europe and more recently from Asia have not come to a desert. They have come to a land already marked by a rich and ancient heritage, and they are called to respect and foster that heritage as a unique and essential element of the identity of this country.”
The Treaty recognised the prior occupation by Māori of Aotearoa New Zealand. It allowed for the peaceful acquisition of land for settlement and ensured that immigrants could come and live in this land. Under the Treaty the Crown was to guarantee and protect Māori tribal authority over their lands, fisheries, forests, villages, treasures and culture and extend to them the status and rights of British citizens.
In the past the Treaty has not always been honoured as it should. Much land was taken from Māori unfairly and in violation of the Treaty. These things have influenced how Māori fare today and the relationship between Māori and other New Zealanders. The New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference said that Treaty of Waitangi issues are not about party politics, but are about honouring with goodwill the covenant entered into by Crown and Māori.
The work of Caritas includes helping Catholic New Zealanders to know and understand the Treaty, not only so we are aware of the history or our country, but also to aid a better understanding of each other and the society we live in today.
Prayers for Waitangi Day
Prayers for Waitangi Day-Ash Wednesday 2008.pdf (280.06 KB)
waitangi prayer.pdf (46.62 KB)
Useful links
New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference: A Commemoration Year for Aotearoa New Zealand, 1990 http://catholic.org.nz/statements/90_commemoration.php
New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference: A statement on the Treaty in today’s perspective, 1995 http://catholic.org.nz/statements/9509_treaty.php
The Treaty of Waitangi: This page contains links to the sites of the Waitangi Tribunal, the National Archives, the Māori Law Review, and Māori Organisations of New Zealand.