Te Māramatanga: Treaty of Waitangi
Overview:
When speaking about the Treaty an observer once commented, “From something so simple has formed somewhat of a Picasso painting. We are all left wondering where the head is.”
Informative and insightful, this course will help you to understand how the story of the Treaty is pieced together. You will explore the past to learn and understand more about Māori perspectives on the Treaty and its position in present-day New Zealand society.
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Who should attend:
Pitched at an introductory level, this course is suitable for those with little to no understanding of the Treaty.
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Course objectives:
- Gain an understanding of what the Treaty was intended to achieve in 1840
- Examine significant events in the history of the Treaty from a Māori perspective
- Gain an understanding of why Māori today react the way they do over Treaty issues
- Analyse what the Treaty has come to mean to contemporary New Zealand society
- Discuss the Treaty’s possible position in future New Zealand society
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Course outline:
Participants will learn about the Treaty of Waitangi and its relevance to all New Zealanders in both a historical and contemporary context. The course examines the Treaty and related political, economic and social issues.
The first session begins with a discussion about the nature of traditional Māori culture. Who were the chiefs, what is Māori customary law and what made the society tick? This is followed by an analysis of the Treaty in a historical context including the early settler contact period, the Declaration of Independence and the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. The resultant key debates surrounding the Treaty are then explained including the translation issues of the text. A visit to the National Archives to view the Treaty may be undertaken if time permits.
In the second session more recent developments are examined including the Māori ‘renaissance’, Treaty legislation of the mid-80s, the establishment of the Waitangi Tribunal and the early Treaty settlement phase. Contemporary confiscations such as land appropriation under the foreshore and seabed legislation will also be examined. The constitutional importance of the Treaty is discussed with reference to landmark Treaty jurisprudence and leading commentary such as The White Paper and UN reporting.
Participants will have the opportunity to consider Treaty policy in the context of wider Government policy and practice and, specifically, bicultural models of development and application within their own organisations and the public sector. They will be given the information necessary to develop their own educated ideas on how to approach the Treaty and apply its principles as a function of their own work, including how to effectively consult with Māori.
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Course format:
2 half-day sessions, 9am – 1pm.
These sessions will combine lecture style teaching by the tutor with group discussion. A booklet of course materials will be provided to each participant.
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Presenter:
Peter Adds is the Head of School, Te Kawa a Maui, Victoria University School of Māori Studies.
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Limit per course: 25
We offer these dates:
Date:
Tuesday 4 and Thursday 6 May
Time: 9am-1pm
Venue:
Downtown venue at Pipitea campus to be advised
Fee: $445.50 (excl. GST)
The above Early Bird fee is available if booked on or before Tuesday 6 April. Full fee: $495 (ex. GST)
or
Date:
Tuesday 3 & Thursday 5 August
Time: 9am-1pm
Venue:
Downtown venue at Pipitea campus to be advised
Fee: $445.50 (excl. GST)
The above Early Bird fee is available if booked on or before Tuesday 6 July. Full fee: $495 (ex. GST)
or
Date:
Tuesday 9 & Thursday 11 November
Time: 9am-1pm
Venue:
Downtown venue at Pipitea campus to be advised
Fee: $445.50 (excl. GST)
The above Early Bird fee is available if booked on or before Tuesday 12 October. Full fee: $495 (ex. GST)