Today is Waitangi Day in New Zealand. Our nation was founded by a covenant, not by an invasion. Unfortunately, it did not continue the way it began, and the government resorted to legal manipulation and war to get control of land for European settlers. God takes covenants seriously, so breaking this covenant has created problems. Fortunately, recent governments have looked for ways to honour and fulfil it, but there is still a way to go. More at the Treaty of Waitangi.
Today is Waitangi Day in New Zealand. Our nation was founded by a covenant, not an invasion. The best way to celebrate the Treaty of Waitangi is to honour and fulfil it.
Today is Waitangi Day in New Zealand. Our nation was founded by a covenant, not an invasion. The best way to celebrate the Treaty of Waitangi is to honour and fulfil it.
Today is Waitangi Day in New Zealand, the day when the founding of our nation is celebrated. New Zealand is different from most countries that were colonised by European countries in the nineteenth century, because a treaty was agreed between the British government and the leaders of the indigenous Maori people. This treaty, or covenant, was signed on 6 January 1840.
This was a great start for a nation, but unfortunately the treaty was ignored for the next 100 years, because it was never put into legislation by the new parliament.. The Maori people were ripped off left, right and centre, and towards the end of the nineteenth century, some experts thought they might die out.
In the last forty years, efforts have been made to recognise the treaty and to put right some of the injustices that were done. I cannot say that there has been strong support for this change, as most New Zealanders do not care. The changes were really pushed through by three middle-aged, European politicians from different parties, who were not leaders, but who gained sufficient influence to push through the changes they wanted. Geoffrey Palmer got Treaty of Waitangi clauses introduced to some important pieces of legislation. Doug Graham got the Treaty settlement process working effectively, and Michael Cullen pushed through a number of important settlements.
Most Christians do not understand the importance of these changes, but settling some of the injustices was really important for the spiritual status of New Zealand. I explain the spiritual consequences of covenants between nations in and article called the Treaty of Waitangi, that was first published in 1883, All Christians need to understand the importance of honouring covenants, regardless of the circumstances in which they were made.
Yesterday was Waitangi Day, a national day of celebration looking back to the treaty a treaty agreed between Maori Chiefs and the British crown in 1840. This event marked the founding of New Zealand.
The day began with a dawn service in the treaty grounds at Waitangi, where the treaty was signed. The service is attended by various political leaders and religious dignitaries and the Prime Minsiter lead a prayer. A retired Anglican minister and Maori elder Gray Theodore, who was born Te Kerei Tiatua, was to lead the final hymn. He stunned the thousand people in attendance, when he shared a vision that he had received thirty-eight years ago. Here is some of what he said, Whenever we hear the news broadcast or televised on TV, all they say is hee is the news; and its often good news and bad news. So with the word of the Lord, it’s good news and bad news. I wish I didn’t have to say this, what I have to say. I have seen the destruction of Wellington… thirty-eight years ago. A terrible earthquake is going to hit Wellington.
I am not sure if this was all he said, but it is all that was broadcast on video.
The Lord has shown me the harbour (with) water going out and coming back as a Tsunami. I have seen the Lord ride the waters out and bring it back, and the waves started to seethe from Kaiapoi to Kaikoura… from the south east of the South Island, it started to move up.. it got to Wellington and Parliament, and went up the North Island toward Whanganui and Taranaki.
I have seen body bags in the streets of Wellington. I have seen the army called into Wellington. I have seen houses on the hills of Wellington – some of them disappeared. Last of all I want you to know this, and you can judge me for what it’s worth. I have seen the roof of the Beehive lying in the debris of the streets of Wellington.
No time was given in terms of years, and I have waited thirty-eight years to say this. The only indication given was the month of June.
Later Mr Theodore told a journalist that he had had the vision 38 years ago and had "run from it" ever since. He said he had been to Wellington (the capital city) with the intention of warning the Government twice before but events intervened to stop him – including when another minister fell dead in his arms and he had to take over his service. The third opportunity, yesterday, was biblically correct, as the Lord always spoke three times.
The Prime Minister said that he would not be taking much from it.
The leader of the Maori Party scoffed and joked about going overseas in June.
When a prophetic warning comes out a national event attended by public officials, it should be taken seriously. God prefers to speak in public.
Gray Theodore is not a flake. I heard him speak once, and he seemed sensible and down to earth. He is a trusted pastor and Maori elder, who has served faithfully in the church for a long time. I am sure he did not share the vision likely.
I have very little confidence in prophecies shared after the event. When a word of warning is given in advance, I sit up and take notice, because that is they way the Lord works.Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing
I would like to know what else Gray shared. He mentioned good news, so I would like to know what he meant by that. I would like to understand more about the context of the vision and if any conditions were attached to its fulfilment.
without revealing his plan
to his servants the prophets (Amos 2:7).
I also wonder if the fulfilment is physical or spiritual. The roof of the Beehive (the government office building) lying amongst the debris might symbolise the collapse of government.
Tomorrow is Waitangi day in New Zealand. This day commemorates an event that was pivotal to the founding of our nation. New Zealand is unique in that it was founded on a covenant or treaty between the indigenous Maori people and the British Crown. This covenant provided the possibility of the two peoples living together in harmony.
Unfortunately the covenant made at Waitangi was broken when the British government confiscated substantial tracts of Maori land.
Breaking a covenant is really serious. The ninth commandment says. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor (Exodus 20:16).
Bearing false witness includes lying to a court, slander of character, fraud, ignoring a contract and breaking a covenant.
The failure of successive governments to honour the Treaty of Waitangi was disobedience to the ninth commandment that put New Zealand under a curse. For a more detailed explanation of the reason, see Treaty of Waitangi, where I explain how Joshua and Saul's experience with the Gibeonites provides principles for understanding and resolving broken treaties.
Ahab and Jez is relevant too.
Recent governments have established the Waitangi Tribunal, a judicial process for remedying the situation right and making restitution. This has turned away the curse. Christian should be really thankful for this change.
The Treaty of Waitangi is the founding document of New Zealand. An important aspect of the treaty is often missed.
In the second clause of the Maori version of the Treaty of Waitangi, the crown agreed to protect the tino rangatiratanga (sovereignty) of the chiefs and hapu (subtribes) and all the people of New Zealand over “their lands, villages and all their treasures”. The English version expands the latter expression to include “lands and estates, forests, fisheries and other properties”. This clause is really important as it places significant limits on the authority of the state. It cannot interfere in the lives of the people or their possessions unless a crime occurs.
The first point, which is seldom noticed, is that it applies to “all the people of New Zealand” nga tangata katoa o Nu Tirani). The second clause is for all people, and not just to Maori.
Secondly, the treaty recognises that ‘sovereignty” belongs to individuals, families and tribes and not to the Crown. The treaty does not create this sovereignty, but recognises that people already have it. The right to control legally acquired property is given by God (Exodus 20:15). It is not given by the State. It cannot interfere with a person’s property unless it is acquired by illegal activity or a crime occurs within it. Thus the treaty provides a protection for everyone against an imperialist and totalitarian state.
This ties in with the first clause of the Treaty, which gave the crown “kawanatanga” (a transliteration of governorship) over New Zealand. This is a lesser authority than sovereignty. The national government does not have sovereignty, but only governorship.
What does governorship mean? If the people and tribes have sovereignty, then governorship must be limited to the authority that they hand over to the crown. And if the people and tribes remain sovereign, they can take back authority that they have given. The governorship of the central state is limited to what the sovereign people have given to it.
Sovereignty in New Zealand belongs to people, families and tribes, not to the central state.
Today is Waitangi Day, when the founding of New Zealand is celebrated. I do not get into special days. For me, today is just like any other Saturday. I will mow the lawn and set up some blog posts for the next week. And I will keep on thinking!
Paul said,One man considers one day more sacred than another;
I must be the second type of man. Today is just like every other Saturday to me.
another man considers every day alike (Rom 14:5).
Other people get excited about this day. That's fine with me; as long as they do not expect me to share their excitement.
In the second clause of the Maori version of the Treaty of Waitangi, the crown agreed to protect the tino rangatiratanga (sovereignty) of the chiefs and hapu (subtribes) and all the people of New Zealand over “their lands, villages and all their treasures”. The English version expands the latter expression to include “lands and estates, forests, fisheries and other properties”. This clause is really important as it places significant limits on the authority of the state. It cannot interfere in the lives of the people or their possessions unless a crime occurs.
The first point, which is seldom noticed, is that it applies to “all the people of New Zealand” nga tangata katoa o Nu Tirani). The second clause is for all people, and not just to Maori.
Secondly, the treaty recognises that ‘sovereignty” belongs to individuals, families and tribes and not to the Crown. The treaty does not create this sovereignty, but recognises that people already have it. The right to control legally acquired property is given by God (Exodus 20:15). It is not given by the State. It cannot interfere with a person’s property unless it is acquired by illegal activity or a crime occurs within it. Thus the treaty provides a protection for everyone against an imperialist and totalitarian state.
The only problem with the Treaty of Waitangi from this point of view is that it does not explicitly acknowledge God. However, as I understand it, tino rangatiratanga is not absolute sovereignty, but includes a whole of responsibilities and limitations. Sovereignty is balanced by a requirement that its exercise should always be “tika”, true and correct. The leaves room for the sovereignty of God.
Technorati Tags: Waitangi Sovereignty
The Maori Version of the Treaty of Waitangi provides a good statement of the basis for limited government in New Zealand, by placing significant limits on the power of the civil government. The first clause of the treaty gave the crown “kawanatanga” (a transliteration of governorship) over New Zealand. This is a lesser authority than sovereignty.
The civil government does not have absolute sovereignty. God created the earth so he has absolute sovereignty over the earth. Civil government has limited authority delegated to it by God. It is just one among a number of spheres which have authority. God has also delegated limited authority to churches, families and business corporations.
The authority of the civil government is limited to defence and punishment of crime (especially theft). The civil government does not have authority to create law, but is required to implement the law of God. If it takes authority that has been delegated to another sphere or that goes beyond what God has assigned, it loses its legitimacy (Psalm 2).
The Maori version of the treaty recognises the limited authority of the state, by limiting its role to governorship. In the third clause, this role is expanded further as “protecting all the ordinary people of New Zealand”. This is the role of the civil government. When it goes beyond protection, it becomes dangerous. Therefore, governorship is a better word than sovereignty for the role of the civil government.
Tomorrow is Waitangi day in New Zealand. We look back to the time when a covenant or treaty was agreed between the indigenous Maori people and the British Crown. This treaty was meant to allow the two peoples to live together in harmony, but the treaty was broken.
The ninth commandment is really important. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor (Exodus 20:16).
Bearing false witness includes lying to a court, slander of character, fraud, ignoring a contract and breaking a covenant. Our failure to honour the Treaty of Waitangi was disobedience to the nineth commandment and has put our nation under a curse. Fortunately, our govenment has set up a Waitangi Tribunal to put this situation right.
For more on this issue see Treaty of Waitangi, where I explain how Joshua and Saul's experience with the Gibeonites provides principles for understanding and resolving treaties.
Ahab and Jez is relevant too.
Technorati Tags: New Zealand Waitangi
The film “Wilberforce” is currently showing in New Zealand cinemas. This film shows the impact on British society ofthe revival led by Whitfield and Wesley in the 18th century. Leaders that emerged from this movement were the key to the abolition of slavery.
What many New Zealanders have not picked from this film is that the same people had a strong influence on the early development of New Zealand. At the time when the first organised migration to New Zealand was being planned, James Stephen was the permanent under secretary in the Colonial Office.
His father, also called James Stephen was a friend of William Wilberforce. The senior James Stephen was a member of the Clapham group and the lawyer who drafted the laws against slavery. His sister later married Wilberforce after his first wife had died.
The younger James Stephen joined to colonial office to have an influence over policies for slavery in the colonies. He later became concerned about the negative impacts of colonisation. European contact had led to the collapse or near extinction of some indigenous societies, so Stephen wanted to avoid a similar pattern in New Zealand.
James Stephen drafted the instructions that were given to William Hobson when was sent to New Zealand in 1840. Part of the instruction was as follows:All dealings with the Aborigines for their Lands must be conducted on the same principles of sincerity, justice, and good faith as must govern your transactions with them for the recognition of Her Majesty's Sovereignty in the Islands. Nor is this all. They must not be permitted to enter into any Contracts in which they might be ignorant and unintentional authors of injuries to themselves. You will not, for example, purchase from them any Territory the retention of which by them would be essential, or highly conducive, to their own comfort, safety or subsistence. The acquisition of Land by the Crown for the future Settlement of British Subjects must be confined to such Districts as the Natives can alienate without distress or serious inconvenience to themselves. To secure the observance of this rule will be one of the first duties of their official protector.
As an outworking of these instructions, Hobson signed the Treaty of Waitangi with the Maori people. This covenant between the British Crown and the Maori people was unique in colonial history. Without the influence of James Stephen, there would have been no treaty and New Zealand would have had a very different history.
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