ENDORSEMENTS | mokamusketsandmayhem

'You have done some in-depth research in regard to the project that you have set yourself....writing a book from your perspective in regard to your tupuna. On the way many stones have needed to be overturned to reveal the hidden secrets beneath them and hopefully some of them returned to their former position.'

Hone Sadler M.M.M, Senior Lecturer University of Auckland and Nga Puhi Kaumatua.

'I have looked again carefully at the document and I agree with you that there is no mark at all in the place where Moka's name ought to be....Particularly in view of Moka's remarks to Charles Baker, I consider you are correct in your view that Moka refused to sign...'

Dr Phil Parkinson, Curator, Alexander Turnbull Library.

'You are right in saying he did not append a cross - only his name is there. Rewa [one of Moka's brother's] was a reluctant signer and one of the last to do so. Perhaps Moka did not follow him eh? Interesting....'

Dr Claudia Orange, Historian and one of New Zealand's foremost Treaty scholars.

'I have no problem at all with your central argument. I would accept your evidence that Moka did not "sign" the Treaty, especially given the significance of the way in which he witnessed the January document. Exactly how we interpret his non-signing is the question - something I would like to think about.'

Dr Grant Phillipson, Historian and one of New Zealand's foremost Treaty scholars.

The issues you raise about the signatories to the Treaty and to Hobson's Proclamations sound interesting. I have heard suggestions in the past that Moka did not sign the Treaty, but having looked at your research, you make a good case that he did in fact refrain from putting his signature to the agreement.'

Dr Paul Moon, Historian and one of New Zealand's foremost Treaty scholars.

'Interestingly, recent and sustained research by Moka descendant, Brent Kerehona, suggests that, contrary to the assumptions of other writers, Moka did not sign the Treaty at all. Moka thus supported his verbal objections with a concrete refusal to in any way legitimise something to which he objected and strongly rejected. For Moka, this was a matter of chiefly principle and honour; rangatiratanga and its ascendancy over all.'

Dr Benjamin Pittman. Patuone - A Life. Treaty of Waitangi. http://www.patuone.com/files_life/treaty.html

'Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention, and we appreciate the amount of research that you have clearly put into it....It certainly does appear, from what you have been able to find out so far, that Moka probably did not sign this copy of the Treaty, even though his name is written on it. To acknowledge this doubt, we have decided to alter the page on the Waitangi Treaty copy, http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/interactive/treaty-of-waitangi-copy We would be pleased to hear from you if you discover any more information, and we hope that this goes some way towards correcting what may have been a long-established error. Best wishes for your research.'

Neill Atkinson - on behalf of Dr Bronwyn Dalley, Ministry for Culture and Heritage.