We initially extend to our partners :
Australia
Britain
China
France
United States
who ratified or were involved in the acknowledgement of the 1835 Declaration of Independence the invitation for any and all naval vessels (irrespective of motive power) to enter New Zealand waters and any New Zealand Port provided they do so under the flag of the Confederation of United Tribes of Aotearoa and recognising the sovereign authority of that organisation.
We carefully record that Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi - Maori version) was the only treaty entered into with the British by the Confederation of United Tribes of Aotearoa in circumstances where the British had previously ratified the 1835 Declaration of Independence acknowledging the Confederation of United Tribes of Aotearoa as sovereign.
Furthermore Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi - Maori version) expressly retained the sovereign right and that all immigration occurring subsequently occurred in circumstances of that overriding sovereignty.
Within this context we draw to your attention the despatch from Earl Grey to Governor Grey from Downing Street, dated May 3rd, 1848, where Governor Grey was instructed:
"... Her Majesty has always directed that the Treaty should be most scrupulously and religiously observed. ..."
We are advised that these instructions remain current.
We also extend the invitation to the abovementioned countries to attend celebrations on 28th October at Waitangi in the Bay of Islands to commemorate the Declaration of Independence 1835, reaffirm historical associations and promote trade.
[In March 1834, at Waitangi, Captain Lamburt of the British Man of War Ship 'HMS Alligator provided an option of three flags for the Chiefs to choose from. The British, American and French witnessed the ceremony with the 'HMS Aligator' firing a twentyone gun salute in reconition of the Sovereign Maori Nation and its Flag, according to International protocol.
( see British Parliamentary Papers Gazette Notice page 580 )]