“The Treaty of Waitangi (1840) failed to resolve conflict between the settlers and indigenous peoples.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?

Candidates will consider the merits or otherwise of the statement that the Waitangi Treaty failed to resolve the conflict between the settlers and the indigenous peoples. Candidates may refer to the fact that the treaty only addressed the issue of land and did not address other areas of conflict such as Maori political representation. In terms of how the treaty addressed conflict over land candidates may refer to the fact that Maori rights to own land and property were recognised and the terms stated that Maori land needed to be bought officially by the crown. Candidates may argue that while this did initially protect Maori rights as Maori communities became more reluctant to sell the methods used to acquire Maori land became more questionable. Candidates may also suggest that different interpretations of the treaty made it difficult to determine its impact.