The Treaty of Waitangi has been called the founding document of our country; the source of much controversy and debate; and a binding agreement between the Crown (on behalf of people wishing to settle in this country) and representatives of hapu (tribes of indigeneous Māori people).
For Auckland City Libraries, it is all these things as well as the commitment to address:
- The needs of Māori customers
- The needs of Māori staff
- The requirement of Māori materials and|or information in terms of what is appropriate access, conservation and preservation - kaitiakitangā.
As a result of the Treaty of Waitangi, Māori customers of Auckland City Libraries should have a series of choices about the library collections they can use, the resources that are available to them, the type of services they are offered and the way they choose to engage them. | 
