Sam Nikora's letter (W/E Sun 16 July) is misleading.
Colonisation by the then ‘super powers' was a fact of life in the past. Call that Pakeha ‘inviting themselves' if you wish, but accept that it was inevitable. And be thankful that it was the British and not an oppressive and dictatorial kind of power, as some others were, that came here.
How did a Treaty with Britain come about? Many events sparked Maori appeals to Britain for protection. For example:
Ngapuhi chief Hongi made a trip to England to meet the King. Coming back he visited Australia and traded the King's gifts for muskets. Back here, he commenced a reign of terror slaughtering and cannibalising others, including his own countrymen, for no apparent reason. That resulted in other Maori asking Britain for protection.
The settlers too were keen to have protection. Nobody wanted a repeat of the 'Boyd” massacre when Maori slaughtered the crew and passengers (including women and children) of that ship when it arrived in NZ waters.
The French Government and Navy had intentions to annex NZ as French territory. One reason was that they already had a presence here; and another was retaliation for the slaughter of the crew of a French ship under Marion du Fresne. The first French Consul to NZ was favoured to be a Baron du Theiry.
Prior to the Treaty, Britain had encouraged and worked with Maori to form their own Government and state, but the chiefs, as always, could not agree amongst themselves. And with the Maori population diminishing quickly, now that they had muskets, it was feared that they would soon disappear.
It became evident that NZ must become a British Colony under British Sovereignty if: 1) Maori were to survive; and 2) the French were to be forestalled. NZ Maoris have done, and continue to do very well when compared to some other colonised countries.
G Allan, Tauranga.