Okay, so we've all heard of New Zealand, right? Well, who actually knows anything about it apart from Lord of the Rings and Flight of the Conchords? Well, like America has Black Civil Rights as the time that their country came to peace, we have the Treaty of Waitangi. (And I never really listened in Social Studies, so if there are any other New Zealanders, please correct me if I am wrong.)
New Zealand was first discovered by William Hobson, and landed at Hobson Beach (named after him) in Waitangi but at the same time, there were already Maoris on the land.
Because the British wanted to own the land, and so did the Maoris, William Hobson created a treaty to show that they could be at peace, and had his translator change in into the Maori language. There were some problems with the translating, though, as the English version said that the British would own the land, whereas the translated Maori version said that the Maoris would own the land (but they did not know this at the time). The first ever signing was on the sixth of February, by Hone Heke.
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While the British stayed in Waitangi, the Maori set off all around the country to every different tribe (because there were plenty). The day before they had created copies of the treaty, so they could all split off and find it, which took several months. There are nine parchments, all of which are still...somewhere. I cannot remember - it's either at the Treaty of Waitangi, or Te Papa museum.
Anyway, this is all relevant to out country, and it is still being fought over today, believe it or not. It's a national holiday and is celebrated throughout the country, which I think is pretty cool.
And, well, that's about it. Any questions? I've probably forgotten a heap of stuff - the last time I learned this was two years ago.
alone; together
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