The treaty gave to Maori the rights of private land ownership on Maori land that all other land owners held both then and now Its called Private property rights. The TREATY OF WAITANGI joined Maori and Pakeha in a partnership. Its important to remember that Ngai Tahu have never claimed for ownership of water but has an active claim seeking guardianship. Article Two of the treaty says: In Māori: confirmed and guaranteed the chiefs ‘te tino rangatiratanga’ – the exercise of chieftainship – over th