Page "Treaty of Waitangi" Paragraph 14

On 5 February copies of the treaty in both languages were put before a gathering of northern chiefs inside a large marquee on the lawn in front of Busby's house at Waitangi.

Hobson read the treaty aloud in English and Williams read his Māori version.

Māori chiefs ( rangatira ) then debated the treaty for five hours, much of which was recorded and translated by the Paihia missionary station printer, William Colenso.

Rewa, a Catholic chief, who had been influenced by the French Catholic Bishop Pompallier, said " The Māori people don't want a governor!

We aren't European.

It's true that we've sold some of our lands.

But this country is still ours!

We chiefs govern this land of our ancestors ", Moka ' Kainga-mataa ' argued that all land unjustly purchased by Europeans should be returned.

Whai asked: " Yesterday I was cursed by a white man.

Is that the way things are going to be ?".

Protestant Chiefs such as Hone Heke, Pumuka, Te Wharerahi, Tamati Waka Nene and his brother Eruera Maihi Patuone were accepting of the Governor.

Hone Heke said " Governor, you should stay with us and be like a father.

If you go away then the French or the rum sellers will take us Māori people over.

How to you.

Some of you tell Hobson to go.

But that's not going to solve our difficulties.

We have already sold so much land here in the north.

We have no way of controlling the Europeans who have settled on it.

I'm amazed to hear you telling him to go!

Why didn't you tell the traders and grog-sellers to go years ago?

There are too many Europeans here now and there are children that will unite our races ".

The French Catholic Bishop Pompallier, who had been counselling the many Catholic Maori in the north concerning the treaty, urged them to be very wary of the treaty and not to sign anything.

He left after the initial discussions and was not present when the chiefs signed .< P. Lowe. The French and The Maori. Heritage. 1990 .>