Salutations to you. This is our word to you respecting the errors (troubles) of our land, which are going on here where your people, the Europeans, are fighting with us, the Maori people. The good which used to be associated with the mention of your name in our land, and which caused the Maoris of this Island to regard you only as our mother, has been lost. While the proceedings of the first Governors were good, your name was then sweet to the hearts of your Maori people, Then matters went well, and both races, the Europeans and the Maoris, were satisfied. All proceedings were then dealt with by a Runanga (Council); what was seen to be right was agreed to, and what was seen to be wrong was negatived by your people of both races. Things were thus done at that time. The first Governors returned (to you) approved (with a good name). But when this Governor of yours was sent, the manner of proceeding then for the first time became strange. Your name also became strange to (ignored by) this people. Now for the first time have we been hunted with evil. As also it is a new thing for you to hear that this island is evil. You heard before that the Maoris were improving, but now the news reaches you that the work of this island is fighting.

O Mother, do not listen to fabrications which are probably being written to you, to the effect that the Maoris are fighting against your Sovereignty (Chieftainship). It is a fabrication. Understand that it is really a quarrel about land. The years are many in which we have been talking quietly, and nothing has come of it. We then perceived that this is a real evil (grievance.) On this account we thought that you should send a person to investigate this war that it may be made to cease.

This is all our word to you. Salutations.