The Treaty of Waitangi Perspectives
By Zeke Pine
Reverend Henry Williams
Henry Williams was a Anglican priest from the Church of England. He wanted the Maori to sign the Treaty for reason as to protect them but to also protect British land purchases (mainly his own). Williams purchased lots of land from the Maori but he was having problem because he bought the land through a minor chief inside the tribe but not necessarily the rightful owner. He translated Hobson's treaty into Maori but chose to sugar coat it and make it seem more appealing to the chiefs, for example he made up the word kawanatanga to replace it to mana because he knew that the Maori chiefs would never sign over their mana to the British. In conclusion Reverend Henry Williams was for the Maori signing the Treaty but for reasons of his own and others.
Hone Heke
Hone Heke was a respected chief and a good friend of Henry Williams. He was a converted Christian and a strong member of the Anglican church. When the Treaty was being signed Hone Heke spoke in favor of the British and the Treaty for reasons of illegal actions and 'the French'. However, the results afterwards the Treaty signing was disappointing to Hone Heke and it enraged him that he saw many of the promises not being kept. He felt as if Henry Williams had tricked, betrayed and used him. In the end he cut down the British flagpole 4 times even if it was being guarded by British troops. In conclusion Hone Heke had supported the Treaty but he was not satisfied by the results and had taken action.