I find Debbie McCauley’s first nonfiction book, Motiti Blue and the Oil Spill (2014) remarkable because it concentrates on a single event (a shipwreck) in one small area (Motiti Island) to create a microcosm of the world’s pollution and conservation issues. The Treaty of Waitangi in Tauranga, does exactly the same thing, explaining the significance of the Treaty of Waitangi by looking at how it affected one small but significant region—Tauranga. It is not easy to pack two centuries of Maori and Pakeha interaction into 48 pages but Debbie McCauley has done well. Not only has she written a simple bi-lingual narrative history (Maori translation by Tamati Waaka) but she has also provided a rich historical context with time-lines, fact-boxes, diary entries and brief biographies that bring history to life. Stones, trees and buildings each have their story here. Events which might be used as dramatic examples in general histories are here firmly fitted into their historic context and made understandable. For example the treacherous murder of the chief Ponui during peace negotiations is seen as a legacy of the intertribal wars and land disputes, which severely harmed the Tauranga Maori and helped destroy their prosperity. Readers find out who did (and who didn’t) sign Sheet 5 of the Treaty, and their reasons. Even the original signatures are shown. The narrative then follows local events after 1840 through warfare, confiscation, negotiation and settlement to the final triumphant sentence, It has taken over one hundred and seventy five years for the Treaty of Waitangi to finally be honoured. A word on legibility. There is a great deal of information packed into this book, and some of the time-lines are in very small, fine type. I had to use a magnifying glass on some pages but I think sharper, younger eyes will be able to cope. Having never been to Tauranga, I found it difficult to work out the relationship of the various pa sites, landscape features and settlements mentioned. Three tiny maps do show portions of the areas involved but they are limited, and the one on page 15 has a drawing of a meeting house superimposed over it. Fortunately two of the first suggestions on the 'Treaty Activities' page involve map drawing. The index is excellent. You might expect this book will only be useful in the Tauranga area but I would argue that it is a superb exemplar for students of our history in all regions. It is a springboard for research. With interest growing in the New Zealand Wars, this book has a great future.

The book is far more than a list of dates. It provides textual content, photographs and illustrations to a variety of historical developments... This well researched, bilingual, illustrated book is a forward leap in understanding, appreciation of local history. It covers events that often have been overlooked, under reported or surreptitiously ignored. A glossary and index complete the work of a fine Librarian.

Like the other two books, McCauley’s is richly illustrated with a mixture of photographs, maps and taonga related to the people written about. At the back of the book, the signatories at Tauranga are listed and identified by the tohu they left on the parchment. Each signatory has had a biography written about them and I can’t help but think what a huge taonga this is for their descendants. The Treaty of Waitangi in Tauranga has included educational resources for teachers to use with their students to further extrapolate the kōrero therein.

The Treaty of Waitangi in Tauranga -Te Tiriti o Waitangi ki Tauranga Moana is a thoroughly researched much needed addition to local and national knowledge about the Treaty of Waitangi. Indeed, there would not be many New Zealanders who could even say that they know the information regarding the signing of the Treaty by chiefs of the Tauranga Moana, much less the conflict and drama surrounding it. From a teaching point of view, the book written in both Maori and English can be used on so many levels. There is the actual story of the signing, a story of injustice, murder, conflict, cannibalism and the eventual settlement and honouring of the treaty written in an exciting and easily readable style for younger students while the supporting documents and images are perfect for older students. It is hard to imagine any school or teacher who would not find this an essential teaching resource. The clever layout and design work by award winning designer Sarah Elworthy, portrays information in a wide range of styles including: maps, journal entries, timelines, lists of the treaty signatories and historical photos balanced alongside the actual story which is illustrated with clever sketches by Whare Thompson. The book is visually exciting and packed with information

Author Debbie McCauley has once again produced a fantastic book that will be a taonga (treasure) to readers. Her dedication to research is evident, and the book functions on many different levels. It is a picture book, a simple story, a history textbook, an archive document and a biography. It is richly illustrated with photographs, sketches, maps, and archive documents which all relate to the people written about. As with her previous books (Eliza and the White Camellia, Ko Mauao te Maunga) the book is bilingual. Just like Eliza and the White Camellia, The Treaty of Waitangi in Tauranga features a double page spread. The right hand column features a simplified bilingual story, aimed at younger readers. The left hand side of the book is a history lesson, rich in further reading, timelines, maps and explanations. The full text of the Treaty is featured in both Māori and modern English towards the end of the book, as is a brief biography of every Tauranga treaty signatory. These pages make the book an absolute taonga for the descendants of those that signed the Treaty in Tauranga. Each signatory’s mark is documented, as well as their iwi and hapū, as well as the brief biography. McCauley has also done the same for the British witnesses to the signings – James Stack and Henry Taylor. A Tauranga Moana timeline is included that covers a huge range of events for the local area – from the arrival of the Ararauta waka in Tauranga, through the musket wars, New Zealand wars, and into the Treaty of Waitangi settlements of 2017. A glossary and extensive index is also included within the picture book, making it invaluable for research use. McCauley has also included ideas to help extend the reader, including researching their own whakapapa to making a quill. Mauao Publishing has developed a real reputation for these fascinating in-depth stories of our history. Once again, The Treaty of Waitangi in Tauranga holds up this reputation. It is an absolute treasure that demands numerous readings. McCauley sets the standard high for any region hoping to tell their own story. While aimed at telling the story of Tauranga specifically, anyone with an interest in the history of Aotearoa will cherish this book.