Over the last three decades New Zealand has opened a positive new future in race relations by dealing with its past. In the Treaty settlements journey, long standing injustices suffered by Māori are being acknowledged, apologies offered and, inasmuch as is possible, restitution is being made. In the process a new spirit of national unity or kotahitanga is flourishing in the land.
As part of embracing the truth about our past, we must also let our history speak on the critical issue of sovereignty and the Treaty of Waitangi.
The Waitangi Tribunal has declared that in the Treaty, Māori agreed to a dual-sovereignty partnership in New Zealand. The chiefs understood that the Governor would have authority over Europeans, whilst Māori would retain full sovereignty over themselves.
This view is now widely promoted. Indeed it is now the prime justification used by those advocating for co-governance between Māori and the Crown. But is it true? What does the Treaty actually say? And what do the records show of Māori understanding at the time the Treaty was debated?
The history of Crown/ Māori conflict in our nation is also now being reinterpreted through the partnership prism. The new view is that the conflict reflected Māori pursuit of the dual-sovereignty partnership allegedly promised in the Treaty.
But is this true? What were the conflicts really about? And what were Māori leaders saying about Crown sovereignty during these conflicts?
ONE SUN IN THE SKY presents an evidence-based perspective on the question of sovereignty and the Treaty of Waitangi.
In this book Ewen McQueen reviews the historical evidence for how the Treaty was understood by Māori and Pākehā both at the time it was signed in 1840, and for the century which followed. The story he uncovers is rarely heard today. But it is a story which needs telling.
Thoroughly researched and fully referenced, this book is a must-read for all New Zealanders. Not just because truth telling about our history is crucial to the future of race relations in our nation – but because our journey together has been a remarkable story.
Ewen McQueen has a passion for New Zealand and its history. Over the last three decades he has offered thoughtful and insightful commentary on key social and political issues for our nation. His work has been published in a number of major newspapers and on his blog RenewNZ.
Ewen holds an MA(Hons) in economics from the University of Auckland, and has worked in the health sector for many years. He lives in Mt Eden, Auckland.