Ned Fletcher
Pākehā
Ned Fletcher is a director of Kayes Fletcher Walker Ltd, an Auckland law firm which is the office of the Manukau Crown Solicitor. In 2015, he was awarded a PhD for his thesis on the meaning of the English text of the Treaty of Waitangi.
The Treaty of Waitangi (the English version)
In this talk, Ned Fletcher addresses the meaning of the English text or draft of Te Tiriti o Waitangi to those who had a hand in framing it. He argues that the English and Māori texts of the Treaty reconcile. The purpose of British intervention in New Zealand in 1840 was to establish government over British settlers, for the protection of Māori. British settlement was to be promoted only to the extent that Māori protection was not compromised. Māori tribal government and custom were to be maintained. There was to be plurality in government and law. Māori were recognised as full owners of their lands according to custom.
