On 5 February 1840 the three brothers attended a large
hui at
Waitangi (400 people) where they had an opportunity to speak publicly about the agreement which became known as the
Tiriti o Waitangi or
Treaty of Waitangi. Rewa and Moka vigorously opposed the signing, whilst Te Wharerahi sided with the Crown. Rewa informed Hobson that they didn't need the Crown as they were their own rulers, they held sovereignty over New Zealand, and told Hobson to go back to England. "[Moka]...was an important northern alliance leader, and he threw the weight of his mana behind his brother's opposition to the kawana and the Treaty." Moka asked Hobson a number of pertinent questions, as well as making some telling statements.
William Colenso the CMS mission printer in 1890, published his account of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in which some of the speeches are quoted. Moka said "Let the Governor return to his own country: let us remain as we were. Let my lands be returned to me--all of them--those that are gone with Baker. Do not say, 'The lands will be returned to you.' Who will listen to thee, O Governor? Who will obey thee? Where is Clendon? Where is Mair? Gone to buy our lands notwithstanding the book [proclamation] of the Governor." He had brought to public attention, the fact that a number of Europeans had been breaking the law in relation to the
Proclamation signed only a week prior. "...Moka did not express concerns that the kawana would have a greater authority than the chiefs'. Instead, his entire concern was focussed on the land question, pre-emption (the only explicit discussion of this part of the Treaty), and whether the kawana would actually have enough authority to enforce pre-emption with Europeans." On this being interpreted to Hobson; he replied "that all lands unjustly held would be returned; and that all claims to lands, however purchased, after the date of the Proclamation would not be held to be lawful." Following Hobson's explanation, Moka also publicly challenged
Charles Baker to return his land, saying "That is good, O Governor! That is straight. But stay, let me see. Yes, yes, indeed! Where is Baker? where is the fellow? Ah, there he is--there standing! Come, return to me my lands." Moka approached the raised platform on which Baker was standing and waited for an answer. This question also served as a test of Hobson's authority and power over his subjects. Baker replied quietly "E Hoki Koia?" meaning "Will it indeed return?". This did not comfort Moka, who then replied "There! Yes, that is as I said. No, no, no; all false, all false alike. The lands will not return to me." This public statement was embarrassing for the Crown, as this did not portray the Europeans' behaviour in a positive light. Later in the proceedings, "...Wharerahi, one of the most important and senior of the northern alliance chiefs, and older brother of Rewa and Moka...now spoke in support of it [Treaty]....He was the first chief to appeal to the idea that having the governor would assist in the creation of peace between the tribes..." Wharerahi said: "Is it not good to be in peace? We will have this man as our Governor. What! turn him away! Say to this man of the Queen, Go back! No, no." According to Salmond (1997) '...this speech by a very powerful rangatira marked a shift in opinion at the hui.'
Hokianga chiefs
Eruera Maihi Patuone and his brother
Tāmati Wāka Nene joined Wharerahi and show their support toward the Crown, by arguing for them to remain in New Zealand. The following day, a number of chiefs including
Te Wharerahi, decided to sign the Treaty and although Rewa held reservations, eventually he too signed. Although Moka's name appears on the
Tiriti o Waitangi (in well-developed English cursive) and the claim by academics and historians that he signed this document, his "mark" is notably absent. Māori academic Brent Kerehona (Ngāpuhi/Whakatohea/Tuhoe/Whanau-a-Apanui), claims that on close inspection, it seems as though Moka was a person of high significance. He was an original signatory to the
Declaration of Independence (the same document that the Crown had aimed to revoke), was the only Māori signatory to the
Proclamation and after raising specific issues, as well as questioning Hobson about pre-emption and illegal land transactions at the meeting at Waitangi, appears not to have been satisfied with the explanations provided and chose not to sign the
Treaty of Waitangi. ==References==