Treaty of Waitangi

The Treaty of Waitangi is a founding document of New Zealand, signed in 1840 between the British Crown and Māori chiefs, aiming to establish a partnership between the two parties and protect Māori land and cultural rights. The treaty granted the British Crown sovereignty over New Zealand while Māori retained control over their land and cultural practices. It has been the subject of ongoing interpretation and dispute resolution in New Zealand courts and tribunals.