He Whakaputanga (Declaration of Independence)

He Whakaputanga, also known as the Declaration of Independence, was signed in 1835 by a group of Māori chiefs in New Zealand. It asserted their sovereignty and authority over their lands and resources, challenging the control of European settlers and the British Crown. The document aimed to unify Māori tribes and establish a formal recognition of Māori independence. While it was not a treaty and did not establish legal sovereignty internationally, it remains a significant symbol of Māori nationhood and their desire for self-determination.