In 1987, Dame Claudia Orange published her best-selling book The Treaty of Waitangi. In what was a comprehensive look at the Treaty and its history, Orange’s book remains one of the most significant and popular New Zealand history books. It has also now been re-issued with three new chapters taking the history of the Treaty up to the present day. Orange spoke with Sam Smith about the book and the importance of the Treaty of Waitangi and its history.
Dame Claudia Orange is one of New Zealand’s most distinguished historians. After publishing her first, award-winning history The Treaty of Waitangi in 1987, she became General Editor of the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, released in five volumes with the Māori biographies also in te reo Māori. A director at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa for many years, she is now an Honorary Research Fellow at the museum. Dame Claudia has received many awards and honours for her contribution to a wider understanding of our history, which includes research for the exhibitions He Tohu at the National Library and Te Kōngahu Museum at Waitangi.
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Disclaimer: The ideas expressed in this discussion reflect the views of the guest and not necessarily the views of The Big Q.
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