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Indigenous People: An American Perspective On The Case For Entrenchment Of Maori Rights In New Zealand Law, Jeanette Jameson

Washington International Law Journal

The 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, signed by representatives of the British Crown and Maori Tribes, created a partnership that allowed colonization of New Zealand while protecting the Maori culture. The Treaty was declared a "nullity" in an 1877 court decision, and Maori rights under the Treaty have yet to be fully realized. Since the beginning of the 1970s, the New Zealand government has increasingly recognized the Maori culture. This Comment explores the history of the relationship between the Maori people and the New Zealand government. It analyzes current government policy on Maori issues. Fimally, it advocates for legislative entrenchment of …