Mere pounamu (short striking weapon)

This mere-pounamu was presented by the Ngāti Hao chief Eruera Maihi Patuone to Governor Hobson on the occasion of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, 6th February 1840. Captain William Hobson RN took up his appointment as first Lieutenant Governor of New Zealand in January 1840, and together with the British Resident, James Busby, immediately set to the task of drafting a treaty between the Crown and Māori. The resulting document, the Treaty of Waitangi, was signed at Waitangi on the 6th February 1840 by 40 leading tribal chiefs.

Māori responses to the Treaty on February 4th were initially negative and suspicious. However, Tāmati Wāka Nene, Patuone and Hōne Heke turned the tide of opinion during public debates following their arrival that afternoon. The signing was scheduled for the following day but was postponed due to foul weather. The formal signing reconvened on February 6th, after fervent speeches of support.

Māori were extremely suspicious of the proposed Treaty, fearing that it would result in the subjugation of the Māori people, the decline of their customs and way of life, and ultimately the alienation of Māori from their lands.

The Treaty of Waitangi is recognised as a binding contract between Māori and the British Crown, and the founding document of the modern state of New Zealand.