Understanding Te Tiriti

Finally feel clear about Te Tiriti in a book beautiful enough to keep

New Zealand #1 bestseller guide to Te Tiriti o Waitangi: written by lawyer and educator Roimata Smail, and used by schools, councils, and organisations across Aotearoa.

Most of us were never properly taught what Te Tiriti really promised. Understanding Te Tiriti changes that. In just 30 pages, you’ll move from uncertain to confident, with a clear, factual understanding of what was agreed, how the English document differed, and why it still matters today.

But this book is unlike anything else on the subject. It’s short enough to read in an afternoon, written for adults who want the real story,  It is also beautiful. Original art work by artbyngawai and design by Sarah Healey make this a book you’ll want on your shelf, not tucked away in a drawer. People tell Roimata there’s healing and hope in knowing the facts and not feeling confused anymore.

Read about how Roimata uses art and design to make complex history accessible →

Inside the book

• What Aotearoa looked like before 1840
• What was promised in te Tiriti (in te reo Māori) and agreed with Māori
• How the English “Treaty” document differed — and why that matters
• How land loss unfolded across generations
• What tino rangatiratanga looks like today
• How te Tiriti continues to shape Aotearoa now

About the author

Roimata Smail (Ngāti Maniapoto, Tainui, England, Scotland, Ireland) is a human rights lawyer, educator, and bestselling author. She has spent over 20 years working on te Tiriti cases and teaching te Tiriti in ways that are factual, respectful, and accessible, including preparing urgent submissions to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in 2025. She created Wai Ako to make knowledge accessible to everyone, because knowledge is power when shared.

Book details

30 pages — A5 (14.7 × 21.1 cm), stapled
ISBN 978-0-473-70188-8
Artwork by artbyngawai
Designed by Sarah Healey

Order your copy today.