A Brief History Of New Zealand

Maori have long inhabited the land now called New Zealand. Polynesians first arrived in Aotearoa – the land of the long white cloud – by canoe. Whilst the date of their first arrival is the subject of debate, legend has it that the great Polynesian explorer, Kupe, arrived in the lands in AD 950. Kupe returned to his homelands and four centuries later a fleet of canoes returned to New Zealand following his directions. It was not until 1642 that the European explorer, Abel Tasman, first sighted New Zealand. However, he left New Zealand waters without setting foot on land. In 1769 Capt James Cook became the first European to come ashore at what is now known as Gisborne. Early settlers began trickling into the country, mostly working as whalers, sealers and in forestry. There was growing lawlessness in the country, and wide scale buying of Maori land by the early settlers. In an effort to lay down a framework of law and order, the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between the British sovereign and the Maori chiefs. However, the Treaty was translated into Maori for the chiefs to sign. Differences in interpretation of the two versions of the Treaty have led to ramifications that continue to this day.

Early relations between European settlers, or 'Pakeha', and Maori were relatively good.. However in the 1860s disagreements over land escalated into the New Zealand Wars. These resulted in the government confiscating large areas of Maori land, repercussions of which still continue. The discovery of gold in Otago in 1861 saw a boom in the economy of the South Island. The late nineteenth century saw New Zealand’s economy expand further with its blossoming wool and meat trade. During the 1870s the population of New Zealand doubled. In 1893 it became the first country in the world to give women the vote.

During the two World Wars, New Zealand fought with the British, suffering massive casualties especially at Gallipolis. New Zealand part in the war effort is remembered on April 25th each year, Anzac Day.

Economic ties with its motherland were weakened in the 1970s when the UK joined the EEC. New Zealand began its move to stronger ties with its Pacific and Asian neighbours. The recent abolition of the Privy Council as the final court of appeal in its legal system is part of New Zealand’s continued move away from its British heritage.

Recent political debate has centered on ownership of the foreshore and beaches. The government has moved to designate the foreshore as being owned by all New Zealanders, whilst many Maori are claiming ownership based on customary rights.