The Declaration of Independence was drafted in Maori by Henry Williams from the English text by James Busby the British Resident and is regarded as the first affirmation of Maori sovereignty over New Zealand. It is the predecessor of the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi.

Chiefly designed to guard against the plans of French adventurer Baron Charles de Thierry to establish an independent state in the Hokianga. The document was described by the Governor of New South Wales as 'a paper pellet fired off at Baron de Thierry'.

In it the chiefs and heads of tribes of the Northern parts of New Zealand claim all sovereign power and authority, and declare the country an Independent State under the designation of the United Tribes of New Zealand.

The Declaration of Independence of New Zealand was signed initially by 34 Maori chiefs and another 18 at a Hui held at Waitangi on 28th October 1835. Amongst the signatories were Hongi and Pomare. It also features a footnote of assent by Tamati Waka Nene and five others who had not attended the meeting. The chiefs who were the original signatories to the Declaration of Independence subsequently all signed the Treaty of Waitangi.

Colenso printed 100 copies for James Busby the British Resident of this second and most rare edition of the broad sheet. It was possibly printed to encourage more chiefs to sign the original document (a process which continued up until July 1839) now in the National Archives. In March 1837, Busby had received via Governor Bourke in New South Wales, the 'King's letter' acknowledging the Declaration and assuring the chiefs of his continued 'support and protection'.

Ref: No 34, Parkinson & Griffith, Books in Maori 1815-1900, 2004

Surviving copies are exceptionally rare. This copy was given by Colenso to his daughter Frances Simcox and thence to her descendants.