An Illustrated History of the Treaty of Waitangi

by Claudia Orange

Contemporary New Zealand is being shaped by the Treaty of Waitangi, signed in 1840 by over five hundred Maori chiefs and representatives of the British Crown. Few subjects in recent years have created as much debate as this document.
An Illustrated History of the Treaty of Waitangi begins before the signing, and tells the story of the Treaty to the present day. The history is one of two peoples meeting, of encounters and negotiations, agreements made and broken, laws, claims and protests, as Maori and Pakeha seek ways of living together in New Zealand.
Claudia Orange is an acknowledged authority on the Treaty of Waitangi, who brings to this book years of research. The history is clear and informative; the recent decades are summarised with a crisp analysis. Photographs, maps, drawings and paintings bring the story to life, and lists of Treaty signatories provide essential detail.
This book follows Claudia Orange's award-winning Treaty of Waitangi (1987) - a comprehensive study that helped to shift public perceptions of the Treaty in the late twentieth century. The changes of the last two decades have led to this new publication, which offers fresh understanding of a history that continues to make a powerful impact on the present.

200 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2004

About the author

Dame Claudia Josepha Orange DNZM OBE (née Bell, born 17 April 1938) is a New Zealand historian best known for her 1987 book The Treaty of Waitangi, which won 'Book of the Year' at the Goodman Fielder Wattie Book Award in 1988.

Since 2013 she has been the head of research at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington, where she was previously the director of collections and research. In 2018 she was made a Companion of the Royal Society Te Apārangi in recognition of her service to the humanities.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claudia...

Reviews

[Gabrielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Without question a useful resource if both too light on detail and analysis AND too dry to wade through - often at the same time. Some of the images are incredible too, which is such a bonus.

Couldn’t bear the ‘modern’ content 2000-2020 cos living the Tiriti breaches was bad enough in real time. Will likely go back when I need a reminder of those times, but will take it with a grain of salt (eg reference to Kaupapa inquiries too light and the update to include covid times and the 2019 hauora report seems too rushed).

[Mat Tait · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dry but enlightening overview of the Treaty, it's history and process. It's a must read for anyone seeking to understand the founding document's importance as a vehicle for redress and as a symbol of Maori protest and resistance, ie every New Zealander presumably.

[Dan Organ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very thorough and thought provoking book about the Treaty of Waitangi and the history and issues arising from 1840 - 2020. It is very easy to read and not dry like a lot of other historical texts. A must read for New Zealanders wanting to get some understanding of our founding documents, history and the underlying political and social issues facing New Zealand society today.

[Sue Jones-Nicholson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was our final bookclub book for 2025.

Claudia Orange has written many compelling recounts of NZ history, however, this unfortunately has become very dated.

The illustrations were excellent, and some of the older short stories refreshed the memory banks.

Too much like a textbook from school. Nor for me.

[Cami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very thorough. The 1970's on was really interesting. I want to read the follow up to see the 'current' history.

[Aroha Welsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illustrative book with images, comprehensive information, truthful representation of a political part of NZ History, recommended for those wanting to delve deeper into this controversial document that shaped a nation......what it meant? the intention of our ancestors Maaori, the injustice and the journey.