The Treaty of Waitangi (Waitangi means weeping (or noisy)
waters) was finally signed on 6th February 1840, after a great
gathering at Waitangi (Bay of Islands), which commenced on the
morning of 5th February. Discussions and arguments for and
against the Treaty continued until the morning of the 6th. Among
those chiefs in favour of the Treaty were Rawiri Taiwhanga, Hone
Heke and Tamati Not all Māori chiefs were present at Waitangi to
sign the treaty, and Hobson set off traveling north and south
gathering further signatures. It was not until the 3rd September
that the final signature was obtained. In all, over 500
Chieftains had signed, although a number of important Chiefs had
not signed the Treaty, including Te Wherowhero of Waikato,
Taraia of Thames, Tupaea of Tauranga, the Te Arawa of Rotorua,
and the Ngati Tuwharetoa of Taupo. In May 1840 Hobson declared
British sovereignty over New for more details on the
circumstances of New Zealand's annexation. From the start Hobson
experienced difficulties with the N