Who was the first person to sign Treaty of Waitangi?

The first person to sign the Treaty of Waitangi was James Busby, the British Resident in New Zealand. He signed on February 6, 1840, as a witness to the signing by the first Māori chiefs.

It's important to note that while Busby was the first to sign, he did not sign as a representative of the British Crown. He was simply a witness to the event. The first signatory representing the British Crown was Captain William Hobson, who signed on February 6, 1840, followed by the Māori chiefs.