Contents -- Part one: An outline of what a Treaty is in terms of the Law -- Part two: The historical context of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi: Background -- The Treaty of Waitangi: its contents -- Part three: Three periods of New Zealand history and the Treaty of Waitangi -- 1840-1847 The acceptance period -- 1847-1875 - The rejection period -- Case one - 1877 Wi Parata vs Bishop of Wellington -- 1880 Maori prisoners Act -- 1875 to now - redefinition period.