How D'ye Do Mr Governor

This TVNZ production screened at the end of 1989, just before the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Filmed at Government House, presenter Ian Johnstone oversees passionate kōrero as a panel of youngsters, academics and Māori and Pākehā elders debate the place of New Zealand’s founding document. Don Selwyn and Angela D’Audney explore its history, and Sir Paul Reeves begins by musing on chief Te Kemara’s famous about-turn, when, after first opposing the Treaty, he turned to Hobson and said: “How d’ye do Mr Governor”.

It's my belief that the Treaty formed a basis for an ideal of nationhood. Of course in practice the reality has been very different. Māori and European (or firstly Māori and British) had very differing expectations of what would emerge in this new nation.

– Dr Claudia Orange

Key Cast & Crew

Ian Johnstone

Presenter

Angela D'Audney

Presenter

Don Selwyn

Presenter

John Whitwell

Director

Bill Saunders

Producer

Jim Brackenbury

Co-Editor