' is a MÃÂori language term that translates literally to 'highest chieftainship' or 'unqualified chieftainship', but is also translated as "absolute sovereignty" or "self-determination". It is central to MÃÂori political aspirations. Many MÃÂori advocate for tino rangatiratanga as a way to restore MÃÂori control over their lands, resources, and cultural institutions. The very translation of is important to New Zealand politics, as it is used in the MÃÂori version of the Treaty of Waitangi to express "full exclusive and undisturbed possession" over MÃÂori-owned lands and property, but different translations have drastically different implications for the relationship between the 1840 signatories: the British Crown and the MÃÂori chiefs (rangatira).
It has become one of the most contentious phrases in retrospective analyses of the treaty amid debate surrounding the obligations that were agreed to by each signatory. The phrase features in current historical and political discourse on race relations in New Zealand and is widely used by MÃÂori advocacy groups.
One of the foundational examples of MÃÂori assertions of sovereignty is He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni (The Declaration of Independence, 1835). Signed by northern MÃÂori chiefs, this document affirmed MÃÂori sovereignty over New Zealand and continues to be referenced, particularly by NgÃÂpuhi, as a basis for MÃÂori independence. For example, groups like NgÃÂti Hine have expressed interest in pursuing greater autonomy or hapà «-level independence. Activists such as Donna Awatere Huata have also advanced the cause of self-determination, envisioning full independence in works like MÃÂori Sovereignty.
A tino rangatiratanga flag was designed in 1989 and has become accepted as a national flag for MÃÂori groups across New Zealand. The Tino Rangatiratanga flag has become a prominent symbol of sovereignty, often seen during protests. In some instances, these protests include explicit calls for MÃÂori independence and the rejection of New Zealand government authority. Small radical groups, such as Nga Iwi Morehu, have echoed these sentiments, drawing on findings like the Waitangi Tribunal's Wai 1040 report, which asserts that MÃÂori never ceded sovereignty under the Treaty of Waitangi.
A is a chief, the nominalising suffix makes the word an abstract noun referring to the quality or attributes of chieftainship. The word is also translated as 'chiefly autonomy', or 'kingdom', referencing the 'chiefly authority' and domain of the chief.
is used as an intensifier, indicating that something is true, genuine or unrivalled. The addition in this context means the phrase can be translated as 'highest chieftainship'.
The intention of the phrase was to "emphasize to a chief the Queen's intention to give the complete control according to their customs". One English translation is 'absolute sovereignty', although many also refer to it as self-determination, autonomy, or MÃÂori independence.
The emphasis on ' draws from an inconsistency arising between Article 1 and Article 2 of the Treaty of Waitangi:
Based on the MÃÂori text alone, in Article 1, the signatories appear to be granting ', and in Article 2, the signatories are promised that their ' ('absolutely sovereignty' or 'highest chieftainship') would remain undisturbed. The apparent inconsistency led to much debate as to whether the MÃÂori signatories intended to cede their sovereignty to the British Crown at all: a debate now definitively resolved by the Waitangi Tribunal finding that sovereignty was not ceded by the signing of the Treaty, but the Tribunal said nothing about how and when the Crown acquired the sovereignty that it exercises today.
The original MÃÂori text of article two with a literal translation by Professor I. H. Kawharu, as published in the Report of the Royal Commission on Social Policy in 1988 (bold added):
The tino rangatiratanga flag is often referred to as the national MÃÂori flag and can be used to represent all MÃÂori. Hiraina Marsden, Jan Smith and Linda Munn designed the flag in 1989. It uses black, white, and red as national colours of New Zealand. The design of the flag references the MÃÂori creation story of Rangi and Papa, suggesting the sky, the earth, and the physical realm of light and being, which was created when they were separated.