Three iconic New Zealand documents

He Tohu: A Declaration, A Treaty, A Petition

He Whakaputanga/The Declaration of Independence, 1835
Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi, 1840
The Women’s Suffrage Petition/Te Petihana Whakamana Pōti Wahine, 1893
RRP - $29.99 each title.

These three iconic New Zealand documents are now on public display at the National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa in the exhibition He Tohu. Held jointly with Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga, He Tohu presents the documents in a stunning state-of-the-art conservation space, designed to preserve the documents for generations to come. 
Three books, published by Bridget Williams Books with the Department of Internal Affairs, take the story of these three foundational documents out to readers throughout the country.  Each book contains full colour facsimiles of the original document, and wide-ranging new research led by Archives New Zealand, introduces us to many of the signatories. Text by a leading historian sets each document in context.

‘’These three books are an exciting addition to the He Tohu exhibition, illuminating the life-stories of the signatories to these three iconic constitutional documents,’’ says the Department of Internal Affairs’ Deputy Chief Executive, Peter Murray.

“Like He Tohu, the books bring the past vividly to life, connecting these important documents to the present and helping to build greater understanding.”

He Tohu opened in May 2017; for more information visit www.hetohu.nz