A look back in history at this petition by Maori chiefs shows a different take on what constituted taonga. Notice there is zero mention in 1831 of Maori owning things that they claim to own today such as all the land, water, fish, wind, or radio waves. Instead, what we read is the word taonga being used in the context for personal possessions and private property.

The first Maori dictionary produced by Cambridge University’s Professor Lee in 1820 states the following meaning for ‘taonga’,  

“Property procured by the spear”

It’s hard to imagine radio waves, rivers, lakes, and fish being procured by the spear. But how representative is Lee’s meaning of taonga? His definition and dictionary meanings were assisted by Ngapuhi chief Hongi Hika. Yes you read that correctly. To Hongi, taonga was his own possessions and didn’t include the things that Maori claim to own today like rivers and radio waves. It seems these were later procured by the pen assisted by a misrepresentation of history.

TO KING WILLIAM, THE GRACIOUS CHIEF OF ENGLAND

KING WILLIAM — We, the chiefs of New Zealand assembled at this place, called the Kerikeri, write to thee, for we hear that thou art the great chief of the other side of the water, since the many ships which come to our land are from thee.

We are a people without possessions.

We have nothing but timber, flax, pork and potatoes, we sell these things, however, to your people, and then we see property of the Europeans.

It is only thy land which is liberal towards us.

From thee also come the Missionaries who teach us to believe on Jehovah God, and on Jesus Christ His Son.

We have heard that the tribe of Marian [the French] is at hand coming to take away our land, therefore we pray thee to become our friend and the guardian of these Islands, lest through the teazing of other tribes should come war to us, and lest strangers should come and take away our land.

And if any of thy people should be troublesome or vicious towards us (for some persons are living here who have run away from ships), we pray thee to be angry with them that they may be obedient, lest the anger of the people of this land fall upon them.

This letter is from us the chiefs of the natives of New Zealand:

Warerahi                                         chief of Paroa
Rewa                                                chief of Waimate
Patuone                                           chief of Hokianga
Nene                                                 chief of Hokianga
Kekeao                                             chief of Ahuahu
Titore                                               chief of Kororarika
Tamoranaga                                  chief of Taiamai
Ripe                                                  chief of Mapere
Hara                                                 chief of Ohaiawai
Atuahaere                                       chief of Kaikohe
Moetara                                           chief of Pakanai
Matangi                                           chief of Waima
Taunai                                             chief of Hutakura

Source:
https://treatygate.wordpress.com/2012/11/04/1831-maori-petition-to-king-for-protection/