The Doctrines of Discovery – Relevant to Te Tiriti Understanding?

What do 15th-century Papal bulls have to do with 21st-century Aotearoa? This session explores the Doctrine of Discovery and how it underpins colonial systems — including the Crown’s assertion of sovereignty. We’ll consider how this history shapes the context of Te Tiriti and whether it’s a helpful frame to include in workshops.

Best suited for: Facilitators and educators with a solid grounding in Treaty history who want to explore deeper legal or philosophical frameworks.

Session outcome:
Participants will leave this session having:
• Understood the historical and legal roots of the Doctrine of Discovery.
• Analysed how these doctrines relate to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• Evaluated whether and how to incorporate this framing into Treaty education.