HMS Herald
On 06 February 1840, about five hundred Maori signed a treaty at Waitangi, in the Bay of Islands. The treaty was organised by Lieutenant-Governor William Hobson with a view to securing British sovereignty over New Zealand. After the signing, on what is now New Zealand’s national day, Waitangi Day, copies of the treaty were made which to be taken around New Zealand for signing. The responsibility of this fell on Major Thomas Bunbury, who sailed on HMS Herald in April 1840.
On 28 May, Bunbury arrived at Akaroa with a Maori language copy of the treaty for signing. After this, HMS Herald sailed south to Foveaux Strait where on 04 June, she arrived at Port Pegasus, Stewart Island. Signatures of the southern chiefs were obtained on Ruapuke Island, then in Otago and at Cloudy Bay in the north of the South Island. When Kai Tahu’s paramount chief Tuhawaiki signed the treaty on Ruapuke Island, he recognised the importance of the occasion and wore a military uniform he had acquired in Sydney.
On 28 May, Bunbury arrived at Akaroa with a Maori language copy of the treaty for signing. After this, HMS Herald sailed south to Foveaux Strait where on 04 June, she arrived at Port Pegasus, Stewart Island. Signatures of the southern chiefs were obtained on Ruapuke Island, then in Otago and at Cloudy Bay in the north of the South Island. When Kai Tahu’s paramount chief Tuhawaiki signed the treaty on Ruapuke Island, he recognised the importance of the occasion and wore a military uniform he had acquired in Sydney.