WAITANGI: FACT AND FICTION

Te Ao Hou, April 1958, Page 55

WAITANGI: FACT AND FICTION the gift of waitangi, by Vernon H. Reed, Wellington, A. H. & A. W. Reed, 1957, 1216. During his term of office as Governor General of this country Lord Bledisloe did much to foster and encourage the study of New Zealand history. When he purchased and subsequently presented to the Nation the historic Waitangi property in 1932 he explained that one of the objects of the gift was the cultivating of a sense of Nationhood and pride in New Zealand history—to crystallise past history as a means of inspiring future generations to patriotic effort. In his book ‘The Gift of Waitangi’ Vernon Reed relates the interesting circumstances concerned with his own attempts to interest the Government in buying the historic site. He first proposed that the property should be acquired as early as 1908, and after years of further agitation succeeded in arousing the interest of Lord and Lady Bledisloe shortly after their arrival here. The value of preserving such an important site was immediately realized by Lord Bledisloe who without hesitation offered to purchase the place and present it to the nation. The famous Treaty House, originally the home of James Busby, was at that time in such a state of disrepair that stock were roaming in the gardens adjoining the building and some of the rooms were being used to store hay. The formation of the trust board and their efforts to restore the dilapidated house and its surroundings are aptly described by Mr Reed who was himself an active member of the board. Prominent Maori representatives included Riri Maihi Kawiti, grandson of Kawiti, representing the families of that chief as well as the Hone Heke, Tamati Waka Nene and Pomare families. Mr Tau Henare represented the Maori people living in the North Auckland Peninsula, and Te Rata Mahuta for those living in the North Island south of Auckland. Mr Reed describes the opening of Waitangi in 1934 when people from tribes in every part of the country were present. “It was a great tribute to Lord and Lady Bledisloe”, he says, “that their influence was such among the Maoris that tribes from all parts of New Zealand came to pay them homage.” The memorable centennial celebrations of 1940 are also recalled when the signing of the historic treaty was re-enacted and a war canoe, Nga-toki-matawhaorua, was again seen in Waitangi waters. The transference of the administration of the estate from the trust board to the Lands Department is regarded with dissatisfaction by Mr Reed who considers that the want of understanding of the historical associations of Waitangi and a proper appreciation and respect for the donors wishes have caused unreasonable changes to be made. According to Mr Reed the efforts of the first trust board to establish a sanctuary of native bush were destroyed when the area set aside for that purpose went up in flames in the process of breaking in the land for farming. He concludes his book with an appeal to the people of New Zealand “to shoulder their responsibilities and see to it that irreparable damage is not done to this great heritage.” While much of the book is weighed down by all too bitter arguments about detail, it is still of value as a record of this important national trust.