Talk:Moka 'Kainga-mataa'
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The issue of Moka 'Kainga-mataa' refusing to sign the Treaty of Waitangi may be viewed as being highly controversial.
It has been claimed (by historians and academics) over the past 160 years, that Moka signed this document; despite their being a lack of supporting evidence.
Dr Phil Parkinson (2006) infers that Moka was one of the 26 chiefs that Lt-Gov Hobson referred to in a letter to Governor Gipps dated February 6, 1840; that signed the Treaty. Hobson claims that he had acquired 26 of the 52 signatories from the Declaration of Independence and as such; partially ceded New Zealand to the Crown. *See [RJP/NZACL Cahier Special] Preserved in the Archives of the Colony: English Drafts of the Treaty of Waitangi. (p. 53: fn 10).
If Moka was claimed as one of the necessary signatories on the Treaty of Waitangi [and it has only now been proven that he did not sign]; then there have been some false or misleading claims perpetuated since the time of the signing.
The decision by the Crown (British Government) to lay claim to sovereignty over New Zealand may rest upon this very claim.
Was Hobson wrong in his belief that he had acquired the required signatures (26 of 52 being 50%) in order to lay claim to New Zealand? Or did Hobson and the Crown knowingly deceive or mislead people about their obtaining the required signatures?
Today, Moka's [adversarial] role in the Treaty process is not commonly raised or promoted by government agencies, or within government documents [Moka's questions and comments may challenge and question the Crown's intentions and actions as not being entirely honourable]; it seems as though he has simply been disregarded or erased?
Sydney-based Maori academic, Brent Kerehona, has revisited the issue regarding the signatories to the Treaty of Waitangi; and has discovered that Moka was the ONLY Maori chief to have been involved in all three events [Declaration of Independence, Proclamation, and Tiriti o Waitangi]. He further argues that Moka's signature or mark affixed to the Tiriti o Waitangi would have been an extremely attractive proposition, and therefore - one must re-evaluate Moka's significance to the entire Treaty process.
According to Maori academic Dr Benjamin Pittman, there also appears to be a number of interesting dynamics throughout the Treaty process; it is interesting to note that Wharerahi (older brother of Moka and Rewa) was a brother-in-law to Nene and Patuone; who supported the Treaty and chose not to side with his biological brothers. Another, is that Rewa and Moka were known to have formed a friendship with the French Bishop Pompallier; who wasn't certain that the Treaty was in their best interests. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Tanetoa (talk • contribs) 01:29, 16 February 2008 (UTC)
As a result of Kerehona's research; the Ministry for Culture and Heritage/Te Manatu Taonga recently (15/02/2008) altered their online article Waitangi Treaty copy on New Zealand History Online; to acknowledge the fact that Moka may not have signed the Treaty. (http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/interactive/treaty-of-waitangi-copy)
—Preceding unsigned comment added by 58.172.17.193 (talk) 03:34, 24 March 2008 (UTC)
Tanetoa 11:16, 4 December 2007 (UTC)
