In August 1839 the British Government sent Captain William Hobson out to New Zealand aboard "The Herald", as British Consul, with orders to annex a part of New Zealand and place it under British rule.

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 Waka Nene..

Not all Maori chiefs were present at Waitangi to sign the treaty, and Hobson set off travelling north and south gathering further signatures.