...prohibited private purchasing entirely. The English text of the Treaty of Waitangi had given the Crown "the exclusive right of Preemption over such lands...proprietors thereof may be disposed to alienate." The principle of preemption — that only the Crown, not private individuals, can buy aboriginal land...

...other properties which they may collectively or individually possess, so long as it is their wish and desire to retain the same in their possession ; but...of pre-emption over such lands as the proprietors hereof may be disposed to alienate, at such prices as may be agreed upon between the respective proprietors...