TREATY OF WAITANGI 1840
A literal English translation of the Maori Text
VICTORIA, the Queen of England, in her kind (gracious) thoughtfulness to the Rangatira and Hapu of New Zealand, and her desire to preserve to them their Rangatiratanga and their land, and that peace and quietness may be kept with them, because a great number of the people of her tribe have settled in this country, and (more) will come, has thought it right to send an officer as one who will make a statement to (negotiate with) Maori people of New Zealand. Let the Maori Rangatira accept the governorship (KAWANATANGA) of the Queen over all parts of this country and the Islands. Now, the Queen desires to arrange the governorship lest evils should come to the Maori people and the Europeans who are living here without law. Now, the Queen has been pleased to send me, William Hobson, a Captain in the Royal Navy to be Governor for all places of New Zealand which are now given up or which shall be given up to the Queen. And she says to the Rangatira of the Confederation of the Hapu of New Zealand and the other Rangatira, these are the laws spoken of.

THIS IS THE FIRST
The Rangatira of the Confederation and all the Rangatira who have not joined that Confederation give absolutely to the Queen of England for ever all the Governorship (KAWANATANGA) of their lands.

THIS IS THE SECOND
The Queen of England agrees and consents (to give) to the Rangatira, hapu, and all the people of New Zealand the full rangatiratanga of their lands, their villages and all their possessions (taonga; everything that is held precious) but the Rangatira give to the Queen the purchasing of those pieces of land which the owner is willing to sell, subject to the arranging of payment which will be agreed to by them and the purchaser who will be appointed by the Queen for the purpose of buying for her.

THIS IS THE THIRD
This is the arrangement for the consent to the governorship of the Queen. The Queen will protect all the Maori people of New Zealand, and give them all the same rights as those of the people of England.

WILLIAM HOBSON
Consul and Lieutenant-Governor

Now, we the Rangatira of the Confederation of the Hapu of New Zealand, here assembled at Waitangi, and we, the Rangatira of New Zealand, see the meaning of these words and accept them, and we agree to all of them. Here we put our names and our marks.

Governor Hobson's Statement
The Catholic Bishop, Pompalier and the Anglican Missionary, William Colenso recorded a discussion on what we would call religious freedom and customary law. In answer to a direct question from Pompalier, Hobson agreed to the following statement  It was read to the meeting before any of the Rangatira had signed the Treaty.

"The Governor says that the several faiths (beliefs) of England, of the Wesleyans, of Rome, and also Maori custom shall alike be protected by him."