One sun in the sky: the untold story of sovereignty and the Treaty of Waitangi
"The Waitangi Tribunal has declared that in the Treaty of Waitangi, Māori agreed to a dual-sovereignty partnership in New Zealand. The chiefs understood that the Governor would have authority over Europeans, whilst Māori would retain full sovereignty over themselves. But is this true? What does the Treaty actually say? And what do the records show of Māori understanding at the time the Treaty was debated? The history of Crown/ Māori conflict in our nation is also now being reinterpreted through the partnership prism. The new view is that the conflict reflected Māori pursuit of the dual-sovereignty partnership allegedly promised in the Treaty. But is this true? What were the conflicts really about? And what were Māori leaders saying about Crown sovereignty during these conflicts? ONE SUN IN THE SKY presents an evidence-based perspective on the question of sovereignty and the Treaty of Waitangi. Whilst a supporter of the Treaty settlements process, Ewen McQueen raises serious questions about the new paradigm of Treaty interpretation. In this book he reviews the historical evidence for how the Treaty was understood by Māori and Pakeha both at the time it was signed in 1840, and for the century which followed. The story he uncovers is rarely heard today. But it is a story which needs telling. Thoroughly researched and fully referenced, this book is a must-read for all New Zealanders. Not just because truth telling about our history is crucial to the future of race relations in our nation - but because our journey together has been a remarkable story"--Back story