He Whakaputanga o Aotearoa Declaration of Independence of NZ

New Zealand history tour — Learn about the Declaration of Independence of New Zealand.

He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tirani — The Declaration of Independence of New Zealand was first signed on the 28th of October 1835 at Waitangi. Of the three documents featured in He Tohu, He Whakaputanga is probably the least well-known or understood.

Beginning at waka reception, participants will be introduced to the buildings and institutions that house and care for the Whakaputanga document. The encounter with the document itself will be accompanied by a wide-ranging discussion of the times in which it was signed, the intentions behind the actions of those involved and the status of its contents today.

About the speaker:
Richard McIntosh works in the Public Engagement team at the National Library of New Zealand. Formal study and wide experience working alongside kaumatua in Tai Tokerau organised beneath He Whakaputanga has granted him a unique familiarity with the document.