Kawangatanga meaning governorship not sovereignty. Because of these misunderstandings many problems arose. For example after the Treaty was signed the English then understood that Her Majesty the Queen of England had full sovereignty over the whole country, while the Maori believed / understood that it was just governorship that the Queen had. .
Another difference in the Treaty that caused differences in Pakeha and Maori understandings was the aspects pre-emption in Article 2 of the official English version. This is where Hobson misinterpreted the word pre-emption to mean that the Crown received the monopoly over the land purchases rather than its precise legal meaning of first offer.
Williams was unaware of Hobson's confusion and the word Hokonga was used to translate it.
Also in Article 2 of the official English version it states that Maori have full exclusive and undisturbed of their lands and estates, forests, fisheries and other properties which they possessed. While in the Maori version the word Rangatiritanga was used, this meant that the chiefs and all the people of New Zealand were consented to full chieftainship of their land, villages and all the possessions. Those are two different understandings which later carried problems.
Another aspect to consider is that Maori culture is an oral one, so for Maori the explanation of the Treaty and the opportunities to discuss it were the most important aspects, not what was written. .
Due to all of the circumstances issues were raised. For example the wasteland issue. This was when Hobson was instructed to assume control of "wasteland" for the Crown. "Wasteland" being all land that wasn't cultivated or occupied. For Maori there was no such thing as "wasteland," so although Hobson did not carry out his instructions. It caused the Maori to become upset in their confidence in British intentions towards them. That was caused due to the sovereignty aspect of the Treaty.
