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New Zeeland
History Introduction
While New Zealand is a relatively young country, it has a rich and
fascinating history, reflecting both our Maori and European heritage.
Amazing Maori historic sites and taonga (treasures), some dating back
almost a thousand years, are a contrast to many beautiful colonial
buildings. A walk around any New Zealand city today shows what a culturally
diverse and fascinating country we have become.
First Arrivals
First Maori were the first inhabitants of Aotearoa/New Zealand (meaning
'Land of the Long White Cloud'). After arriving from their ancestral
Polynesian homeland of Hawaiki, probably about 1000 years ago, they set up
a thriving society based on the iwi (tribe), which flourished for hundreds
of years.
Arriving in Aotearoa
According to Maori, the first explorer to reach New Zealand was Kupe. Using
the stars and ocean currents as his navigational guides, he ventured across
the Pacific on his waka hourua (voyaging canoe) from his ancestral
Polynesian homeland of Hawaiki. It is thought that Kupe made landfall at
the Hokianga Harbour in Northland, around 1000 years ago.
Where is Hawaiki?
You will not find Hawaiki on a map, but it is believed Maori came from an
island or group of islands in Polynesia in the South Pacific Ocean. It is
not known exactly which place, but there are distinct similarities between
the Maori language and culture, and others of Polynesia including the Cook
Islands, Hawaii, and Tahiti.
Going Fishing
Maori were expert hunters and fishermen. As mostly coastal dwellers,
fishing was vitally important to them. It also played a part in their
mythology - the god, Maui, was believed to have 'fished up' the North
Island. Maori wove fishing nets from harakeke (flax), and carved fishhooks
from bone and stone. Maori considered whales as kaitiaki (guardians), and
used their flesh for food and their hard, strong bones for weapons. A Maori
tradition that remains today is to throw back the first fish caught. This
is a way of thanking Tangaroa, god of the sea, for his bounty.
Colonial Wave
With the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, New Zealand became a
British colony. This saw a great increase in the number of British migrants
coming to New Zealand. Many had their passage paid for by colonial
companies. The systematic colonial settlement of New Zealand was largely
based on the ideas of Edward Gibbon Wakefield, who believed the colonial
settlements should be modelled on the structures of British society. Many
New Zealand cities and towns were established and populated in this way.
These settlements were intended to be civilised and self-sufficient, with
small farmers cultivating their land, and living in peace with the native
people.
Colonial Ties
Throughout the 19th and much of the 20th century, the 'homeland' of Britain
had an enormous influence on New Zealand. Government administration,
education, and culture were largely built on British models. New Zealand
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