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Join our expert guides for a tour and kōrero, highlighting the parent document to the Treaty — the 1835 He Whakaputanga o Te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni | The Declaration of Independence of the United Tribes of New Zealand.The significance of He Whakaputanga
Described by British Resident James Busby as the ‘Magna Carta of New Zealand Independence’, He Whakaputanga was a bold and innovative declaration of indigenous power.
First signed by 34 Northern rangatira (chiefs) on 28 October 1835, He Whakaputanga collected a further 18 signatures by 1839. Through He Whakaputanga, these 52 rangatira asserted that mana and power in Aotearoa New Zealand resided with Māori and that foreigners would not be permitted to make laws.
He Whakaputanga was and is an international declaration of Māori authority that sought to regulate their relationship with foreigners. It was an important step in the conversation between Māori and the Crown, which continues to this day.
Oldest taonga in He Tohu
He Whakaputanga is the oldest taonga in the He Tohu exhibition. He Tohu houses the nation’s original and founding documents, including Te Tiriti o Waitangi 1840, the Women’s Suffrage Petition 1893, along with interactive experiences that explore their stories.
Tour and kōrero
Come along and learn about the origin and journey of our country’s first constitutional document.
View the original 1835 He Whakaputanga Declaration of Independence and gain deeper insight into why it was created, its impact and its relationship to Te Tiriti o Waitangi | Treaty of Waitangi 1840.
Hear stories about tūpuna and signatories like Te Hāpuku (Ngāti Kahungunu, Rangitāne, Ngāti Ira) and Te Wherowhero (Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāti Maniopoto, Waikato Tainui), who would later become Pōtatau, the first king of the Kīngitanga sovereignty movement.
All welcome
Tours are open to all uri (descendants), visitors and whānau.
Booking is not required.
Please meet at our waka reception desk on the ground floor before the tour begins.
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