1769 — James Cook’s first voyage to Aotearoa brought sustained British contact. Māori and Europeans began new exchanges, including trade.

1814 — Missionary activity became established at Rangihoua in the Bay of Islands. Missionaries introduced Christianity and literacy, while Māori communities made their own decisions about engagement.

1830s — More traders, whalers, and settlers arrived. Some exchanges brought useful goods and opportunities; rapid settlement also contributed to conflict, harmful behaviour, and disputes over land.

1835 — Some northern rangatira signed He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni (the Declaration of Independence). It affirmed their authority and was recognised by Britain.

1839 — The British government appointed William Hobson to establish a formal relationship with Māori. British officials were concerned about governing British settlers and limiting uncontrolled land purchases.

February 1840 — Te Tiriti o Waitangi was first signed at Waitangi. Copies were taken around the country for further signatures. The Māori-language text and English text differed in important wording, especially about authority and governance.

Rangatira: Authority and relationships with land and people were central. Some rangatira saw potential benefits in an agreement, while also expecting their mana and rangatiratanga to be respected. Views were not identical.

British officials: They wanted a formal basis for British government, to regulate land transactions and address problems linked to growing settlement. They also sought to strengthen Britain’s position against other European powers.

Missionaries and translators: Missionaries such as Henry Williams and his son Edward helped translate the Treaty into te reo Māori. Translation choices mattered because the Māori and English versions did not express every idea in the same way.