Tino rangatiratanga

This article is about a phrase in the Māori language. For the flag of the same name, see National Māori flag.
The Māori text of an original printed (not longhand) copy of the Treaty of Waitangi. The phrase “tino Rangatiratanga” is highlighted for emphasis.
Tino rangatiratanga is important to Māori and New Zealand culture and politics. Here the phrase is highlighted as it appears in the printed copies of the Treaty of Waitangi, as part of article two (ko te tuarua).

Tino rangatiratanga is a Māori language term that translates literally to 'highest chieftainship' or 'unqualified chieftainship', but is also translated as “absolute sovereignty" or "self-determination," is central to Māori political aspirations. Many Māori advocate for tino rangatiratanga as a way to restore Māori control over their lands, resources, and cultural institutions.[1][2]The very translation of tino rangatiratanga is important to New Zealand politics, as it is used in the Māori version of the Treaty of Waitangi to express "full exclusive and undisturbed possession" over Māori-owned lands and property, but different translations have drastically different implications for the relationship between the 1840 signatories: the British Crown and the Māori chiefs (rangatira).[a]

It has become one of the most contentious phrases in retrospective analyses of the treaty amid debate surrounding the obligations that were agreed to by each signatory.[4][5] The phrase features in current historical and political discourse on race relations in New Zealand and is widely used by Māori advocacy groups.

Calls for Tino Rangatiratanga

One of the foundational examples of Māori assertions of sovereignty is He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni (The Declaration of Independence, 1835). Signed by northern Māori chiefs, this document affirmed Māori sovereignty over New Zealand and continues to be referenced, particularly by Ngāpuhi, as a basis for Māori independence. For example, groups like Ngāti Hine have expressed interest in pursuing greater autonomy or hapū-level independence. Activists such as Donna Awatere Huata have also advanced the cause of self-determination, envisioning full independence in works like Māori Sovereignty.

A tino rangatiratanga flag was designed in 1989 and has become accepted as a national flag for Māori groups across New Zealand.[6] The Tino Rangatiratanga flag has become a prominent symbol of sovereignty, often seen during protests. In some instances, these protests include explicit calls for Māori independence and the rejection of New Zealand government authority. Small radical groups, such as Nga Iwi Morehu, have echoed these sentiments, drawing on findings like the Waitangi Tribunal’s Wai 1040 report, which asserts that Māori never ceded sovereignty under the Treaty of Waitangi.

  1. ^ English, Bill (7 May 2002). "The Treaty of Waitangi and New Zealand Citizenship". New Zealand Centre for Political Research. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  2. ^ Te One, Annie; Clifford, Carrie (2021). "Tino Rangatiratanga and Well-being: Māori Self Determination in the Face of Covid-19". Frontiers in Sociology. 6: 613340. doi:10.3389/fsoc.2021.613340. ISSN 2297-7775. PMC 8022796. PMID 33869564.
  3. ^ "What does 'Tino Rangatiratanga' mean?", He Tohu, National Library of New Zealand, 10 May 2017, retrieved 28 September 2022
  4. ^ "1. – Treaty of Waitangi – Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand". Teara.govt.nz. 13 July 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  5. ^ Orange, Claudia (13 July 2012). "Story: Treaty of Waitangi: Page 1 – Creating the Treaty of Waitangi". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Wellington, New Zealand: Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Archived from the original on 9 July 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  6. ^ "Flags". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. 13 January 2016. Retrieved 7 March 2016.


Cite error: There are <ref group=lower-alpha> tags or {{efn}} templates on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} template or {{notelist}} template (see the help page).