186 years ago today, on 28th October 1835, thirty-four northern chiefs signed He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni, the Declaration of the Independence.
Commemorations are underway in Waitangi to mark the historic day.
Signed in the presence of James Busby and other British Settlers, the declaration asserted the independence of the 'new country' under the rule of the United Tribes, who would then meet every autumn to discuss and create the laws that would govern the country into the future.
It was formally acknowledged by the British government in 1836, and by 1839 52 rangatira from around the country had signed the document.
Māni Dunlop spoke to Ngati Hine leader Pita Tipene - about what Whakaputanga means today.
