1. Introduction: “… a document of our times.” Magna Carta in Aotearoa New Zealand; Chris Jones and Stephen Winter.- SECTION 1: REMEMBRANCE.- 2. Magna Carta and Memorialization: The Perils of Historical Anniversaries; Lindsay Diggelmann.- 3. Myths and History: The Treaty of Waitangi as “the Magna Charta of New Zealand”; David V. Williams.- SECTION 2: RECEPTION.- 4. Magna Carta and a Paradox of Authority; Andrew Sharp.- 5. Symbol and Myth: Magna Carta in Legal and Public Discourse about Law and Rights in New Zealand 1840-1940; Jeremy Finn.- 6.  The Politics of Magna Carta and the Ancient Constitution in New Zealand, 1642- c.1860; Geoff Kemp.- 7. The Myth of the “Māori Magna Carta”; Te Marie Tau and Madi Williams.- 8. Mekana Tata: Magna Carta and the Political Thought of Aperahama Taonui; Laura Kamau.- 9. The Utility of a Medieval Charter in New Zealand Litigation: The Case of the Magna Carta; Lindsay Breach.- 10. Magna Carta and the Righteous Underdog in Modern Popular Culture; Anna Milne-Tavendale.- SECTION 3: REFLECTION.- 11. Magna Carta’s Promise: Strengthening the Declaration of Rights-Inconsistency; Stephen Winter.- 12. Mana & Magna Carta: Locating New Legacies for a Medieval Charter in Post-Colonial Aotearoa New Zealand; Chris Jones.- 13. Tear it up? Challenging the Charter; Stephen Winter and Chris Jones.- Appendix: Taken out of Context: Early Copies of Magna Carta in Aotearoa New Zealand.- Index.

This volume is the first to explore the vibrant history of Magna Carta in Aotearoa New Zealand’s legal, political and popular culture. Readers will benefit from in-depth analyses of the Charter’s reception along with explorations of its roles in regard to larger constitutional themes.
The common thread that binds the collection together is its exploration of what the adoption of a medieval charter as part of New Zealand’s constitutional arrangements has meant – and might mean – for a Pacific nation whose identity remains in flux. The contributions to this volume are grouped around three topics: remembrance and memorialization of Magna Carta; the reception of the Charter by both Māori and non-Māori between 1840 and 2015; and reflection on the roles that the Charter may yet play in future constitutional debate. This collection provides evidence of the enduring attraction of Magna Carta, and its importance as a platform of constitutional aspiration.
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“Why does it matter to us in New Zealand what happened at Runnymede 800 years ago? This book is essential reading for those who want to know. The mythology that has grown around Magna Carta obscures its achievements and the influence it continues to exert. Its example is invoked in our own great Charter, the Treaty of Waitangi. This account of the continuing pull of Magna Carta in our society stimulates thinking about what matters.” (The Rt Hon Dame Sian Elias GNZM, Chief Justice of New Zealand)
“This collection from New Zealand scholars analysing the significance of Magna Carta more than 800 years after it came into being enriches our own sense of New Zealand’s constitutional history and suggests a need to take greater interest in our contemporary constitutional arrangements.” (The Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey Palmer KCMG AC QC, former Prime Minister)

Explores the social, political and legal impact of Magna Carta on New Zealand’s history Examines the reception of it by both Maori and non-Maori and its role in constitutional debates Offers a unique perspective on Magna Carta's relation to constitutional theory and practice Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

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