Declaration of Independence in New Zealand

 In 1830 there were 100000 Māori and 200 Europeans living in New Zealand. The behaviour of the Whalers, the Missionaries’ desire to help protect Māori rights and the Musket Wars were reasons that a treaty was needed. The Declaration of Independence was another contributing factor to the need for a treaty.

One reason that a treaty was needed was the lawless behaviour of some of the British Settlers like whalers. Since Whalers were at sea for a few months, when they would come back to Kororareka they would cause destruction. Whalers would drink loads at once which would lead to fights, prostitution and introduced diseases. The local Maori were concerned about the behaviour and Kororareka became known as a Hell Hole therefore a treaty was needed.

Missionaries and Maori had a good relationship between each other. Missionaries were concerned about Maori land being sold therefore they signed the treaty of independence to gain control of the sales. Musket wars were another issue that the missionaries had to worry about due to the amount of Maori being killed. Another reason that a treaty was needed was to protect Māori rights. One group that felt strongly about this was the missionaries. In order for wars to stop between Maori and Britain, missionaries wanted to begin trades with Europeans. 

Another reason that a treaty was needed was the Musket Wars. The musket wars are seen as an example of the fatal impact of contact with Europeans. Around 20000 people were speculated to be killed directly or indirectly. The first tribe to get the muskets were Nga Puhi.  Due to 20000 people being killed; tribal boundaries were constantly changing around. For the tribes that wanted/needed muskets they needed to increase their output of pigs and potatoes, this is because pigs and potatoes were used as currency to pay for the muskets. Despite Nga Puhi being one of the first tribes to have muskets Nga Whatua defeated them in battle with traditional weapons.

In Conclusion, a treaty was needed because of disorderly behaviour of the British whalers; missionaries were concerned about Maori land being sold and they needed the treaty to protect maori rights. Lastly they needed a treaty for the countless deaths caused by the musket wars and tribal boundaries constantly changing.

Still in the works