In the final instalment of this series about the Treaty of Waitangi, Mike King follows the Herald Bunbury treaty sheet. It was the only sheet to reach the bottom of the South Island, and one of nine that made it’s way around Aotearoa. King learns that while Thomas Bunbury, a well-educated Napoleonic war hero, endeavoured to gather signatures and claim sovereignty over Te Waipounamu, the island's chiefs were few and hard to find. Descendants of the chiefs share stories about their ancestors' entrepreneurship and foresight — and how they ended up selling the entire South Island to Australia for 100 pounds.
...if it's interpreted right, it’s a bloody good thing. It’s our only founding document, which a lot of people don’t agree with...but there’s no New Zealand without it, none at all.– Rob Bunt, a descendant of treaty signee Joseph Thoms, on the treaty, near the end of this episode
Ponsonby Productions
Ponsonby Productions
Made with funding from NZ On Air
Theme song 'Ancestors' written by Moana Maniapoto, performed by Moana and the Tribe
Features songs performed by Moana and the Tribe
Photo and info on the Herald Bunbury sheet, NZ History website
More on the nine sheets of the Treaty of Waitangi, NZ History website
Section on the Treaty of Waitangi, Archives New Zealand website
Tribute to modern-day Ngāi Tahu leader Tahu Pōtiki, E-Tangata, January 2020
Profile of treaty supporter Thomas Bunbury, 1966 Encyclopedia of NZ
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