Everyone should read Understanding Te Tiriti: A Handbook of Basic Facts about Te Tiriti o Waitangi by Roimata Smail because we need good robust conversation and we need all the correct information. Plus, it’s a great size; you can read it in one afternoon.
Roimata Smail’s wonderful handbook, Understanding Te Tiriti, illustrates this complexity by using English to clarify the key differences between Te Tiriti o Waitangi (in Māori) and its English counterpart, which the Crown appeared to act upon from the day of signing. At the time, Māori outnumbered settlers 40 to 1, making the Māori text — signed by 500 rangatira — the logical foundation for understanding Te Tiriti. Smail breaks it down simply for us, in English
I snuggled up on the sofa with this book last Waitangi Day and my 8 year old came to see what I was reading. I read the entire book to her from cover to cover. It is so simply and beautifully presented that she understood every word. I’m so grateful to this book for her but also for me!
This little booklet is EXACTLY what I needed. Simple, clear language, outlined and explained well, and historically relevant. Perfect for anyone who needs a primer in understanding the constitutional framework of Aotearoa New Zealand, and Te Tiriti in particular. It also gives a good "further reading" section at the end. I will be recommending this to everyone.
So many New Zealanders are uninformed or misinformed about Te Tiriti and the racial history of Aotearoa. I wish those people would spend a little time today reading this slim book. It's beautifully laid out, succinct, concise, and the author's credentials are impeccable.
