Geoff Parker: Kororareka Unmasked

On 11 March 1845, Hōne Heke and his warriors chopped down the British flagstaff at Kororāreka (officially renamed Russell in 1844) for the fourth time. Modern commemorations often frame it as a heroic stand for Māori sovereignty. But the real story is far messier.

Hōne Heke had in fact been the first chief to sign the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. His later rebellion was not triggered by some newly discovered constitutional betrayal. The immediate grievances were far more practical.

A.E. Thompson: Propaganda on Hone Heke's Flagstaff Hill

I'm not sure if anyone here has drawn attention to the flagstaff at Russell. That was the one that Hone Heke's associate Te Haratua chopped down in July 1844 and Heke followed up with three further fellings from January to March 1845 whereupon those breaches of Te Tiriti (that Hone Heke had signed) led to local civil war and contributed to the start of 'land wars' around the new country. The flagstaff story is an amazing tale albeit that details vary from different sources. Essentially, Hone Heke objected to losing money that he and his cuzzies had been extracting as an informal fee from visiting ships. (Like the fees for access to beaches that will be extorted through customary title of Foreshores and Seabeds...) The Governor had imposed a customs tariff that led to ships avoiding the Bay. Also, Heke was unhappy when the country's capital was relocated from Russell to Auckland, further reducing his opportunities for more wealth and power. Ethical ruminations about the fairness of British rule were probably not so prominent in motivating this slave-owning chief.

Ewen McQueen: The Chieftainship Rests With One – The Governor

Ewen provides further confirmation that the chiefs fully understood they were ceding full sovereignty.

After Hone Heke felled the flagstaff in 1844, a group of Chiefs meet with Governor Fitzroy at Waimate North to discuss the situation.

The transcript of the meeting gives a fascinating insight into how they understood the Treaty - WATCH THE VIDEO below).....

Click to view (then scroll down)

David Farrar: Terrible advice from MOH

It is incredible that senior public servants tendered such advice. To state as a fact that “The right to be smoke free is entrenched in Te Tiriti o Waitangi” is beyond overwrought.