Treaty of Waitangi
From different perspectives
Captain William Hobson
Naval officer, Colonial governor
Williams main role in the signing of the treaty was to create the draft of the treaty. Not only that but to arrange for the treaty to be translated into Te reo Maori. He also had to hold discussions with the chiefs and get it signed.
On January 30th 1840 Captain William Hobson arrived in Aoteroa, New Zealand with him all of the instructions to make a treaty. In early February Hobson falls ill showing early signs of a stroke, resulting in him unable to create the draft of the treaty so he gets James Busby (British resident) to write up a draft based on Hobsons notes. By February 4th Hobson, Busby with the help of a few others had completed the english version of the treaty.
Hobson wanted a treaty to protect the Maori. As there was a lot of unfair trading going on at the time such as the european buying land for very little, and then selling it to other European settlers for a lot more.But not only that but to prevent the French from taking too much control over New Zealand. He absolutely hated the French Catholic bishop Pompalier. If they were to make the treaty it would mean for them that they shared New Zealand which would also mean they wouldn't have to worry about the French taking over New Zealand. And they would also have the Maori on their side. So if you can imagine it was the ideal thing for them to do, and Hobson played a key role in this.