Understanding Te Tiriti

Name: Understanding Te Tiriti
Rating: 5.00 (12 reviews)

Understanding Te Tiriti

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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 Ngawai O'Leary
Designed by Sarah Healey

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5 stars: 12 (100%)
4 stars: 0 (0%)
3 stars: 0 (0%)
2 stars: 0 (0%)
1 star: 0 (0%)

Very informative. Brilliantly written.

Fabulous

Excellent resource to help aid nursing ākonga better understand Te Tiriti.

The book explains not only Te Tiriti, its difference to the Treaty and historic implications but also how it is connected to inequities still experienced by Māori today.

After being in education as a professional I found this a very easy way to gain an understanding of Te Tiriti and the differences between it and the English version of the Treaty. From it you can see the implications for Maori over the generations. This book is an easy one to share with staff and students alike.

A beautifully designed book that explains aspects of te Tiriti in a clear way that is perfect for beginners. I didn't get this overview at school and wasn't quite sure where to start when learning about te Tiriti so this book is a great resource.

Very informative and succinct about Te Tiriti

A great clear read that highlights the main facts and lead to a better understanding of the treaty(or should that be treaties?) signed in 1840.
This short book encouraged me to continue to read and learn more about Te Tiriti and its consequences for Aotearoa New Zealand.

An awesome read for people of all ages! This book's a must-have in any home or office it gives clear, easy-to-understand info to help all New Zealanders get their heads around Te Tiriti. The author's done a great job of breaking down a tricky and sometimes controversial topic to make it super accessible.

I didn't know that the two versions of our treaty, The Treaty of Waitangi (English version) and Te Tiriti (te Reo version), differed in their contents and in their promises. Which meant I didn't understand the basis for Treaty settlements, generational trauma among M?ori, the basis of their grievances and why the systemic inequality they face today originated in 1840. Now I know. This book is essential reading for every person in Aotearoa New Zealand and elsewhere who wants to be informed about the facts of the Treaty/Te Tiriti. Understanding Te Tiriti clearly and simply outlines the wording of the two versions of the treaty and explains what occurred in 1840 and why this has ramifications to this day.

A fantastic resource for anyone interested in learning more abot te Tiriti but is not sure where to start.

Got my little book. It’s a great tool to refer too. Thank you.

View full details

5 stars: 12 (100%)
4 stars: 0 (0%)
3 stars: 0 (0%)
2 stars: 0 (0%)
1 star: 0 (0%)

Very informative. Brilliantly written.

Fabulous

Excellent resource to help aid nursing ākonga better understand Te Tiriti.

The book explains not only Te Tiriti, its difference to the Treaty and historic implications but also how it is connected to inequities still experienced by Māori today.

After being in education as a professional I found this a very easy way to gain an understanding of Te Tiriti and the differences between it and the English version of the Treaty. From it you can see the implications for Maori over the generations. This book is an easy one to share with staff and students alike.

A beautifully designed book that explains aspects of te Tiriti in a clear way that is perfect for beginners. I didn't get this overview at school and wasn't quite sure where to start when learning about te Tiriti so this book is a great resource.

Very informative and succinct about Te Tiriti

A great clear read that highlights the main facts and lead to a better understanding of the treaty(or should that be treaties?) signed in 1840.
This short book encouraged me to continue to read and learn more about Te Tiriti and its consequences for Aotearoa New Zealand.

An awesome read for people of all ages! This book's a must-have in any home or office it gives clear, easy-to-understand info to help all New Zealanders get their heads around Te Tiriti. The author's done a great job of breaking down a tricky and sometimes controversial topic to make it super accessible.

I didn't know that the two versions of our treaty, The Treaty of Waitangi (English version) and Te Tiriti (te Reo version), differed in their contents and in their promises. Which meant I didn't understand the basis for Treaty settlements, generational trauma among M?ori, the basis of their grievances and why the systemic inequality they face today originated in 1840. Now I know. This book is essential reading for every person in Aotearoa New Zealand and elsewhere who wants to be informed about the facts of the Treaty/Te Tiriti. Understanding Te Tiriti clearly and simply outlines the wording of the two versions of the treaty and explains what occurred in 1840 and why this has ramifications to this day.

A fantastic resource for anyone interested in learning more abot te Tiriti but is not sure where to start.

Got my little book. It’s a great tool to refer too. Thank you.