He Whakaputanga Timeline
Storyboard Text
- 1831
- 13 Maori chiefs (or rangatira) wrote a letter for King William IV. This was because they sought out protection from the French.
- 1839
- 1833
- James Busby arrived in New Zealand as an official British resident following the letter. James Busby didn't have an army to support him so he had to use diplomacy to sort issues out. He was described as a warship without guns.
- 1834
- Chiefs chose a flag design which was named the United Tribes Flag. It earned a 21-gun salute from cannons on a ship and was recognised by the British king. This became the national flag for ships.
- 1835
- Maori were concerned about lawlessness and the fact that France may try to take over New Zealand. So on October 28th, 1835 the Declaration of Independence of the United Tribes of New Zealand was signed by 34 chiefs.
- Signatures to this declaration continued to be added until 1839 and reached a total of 52 signatures. This included the signature of the first Maori king.
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