New Zealand
- Thread starter Lanolin
- Start date
Maori
The history of the Maori go back to about 925AD when they first arrived in NZ from the Pacific Islands. The explorer Kupe found a southern land hidden by a long white cloud, so it was called Aotearoa. Then, thanks to maybe a burgeoning population on the Pacfic islands and limited room, they set out to migrate to this new land in canoes (called waka) intending to stay.
They brought with them their culture and plants, and animals, though it was too cold for the coconuts and other tropical plants they were used to eating. So they adapted.
Around 1642 some European explorers came by, the first of which was Abel Tasman, a dutchman. He named the land he found 'New Zealand' which was dutch for 'new sea land' (how original!) then he kept sailing and named what we now know is Australia as 'New Holland' as well as the Tasman Sea which was named after him. He did come ashore here but the first contact did not end well! Then in 1770 Captain James Cook from England came by in his ship the Endeavour and made contact with the Maori, and was more successful.
I'll answer your second question in another post as, there were a lot ups and downs to this mixing of cultures and collision of two worlds!
The history of the Maori go back to about 925AD when they first arrived in NZ from the Pacific Islands. The explorer Kupe found a southern land hidden by a long white cloud, so it was called Aotearoa. Then, thanks to maybe a burgeoning population on the Pacfic islands and limited room, they set out to migrate to this new land in canoes (called waka) intending to stay.
They brought with them their culture and plants, and animals, though it was too cold for the coconuts and other tropical plants they were used to eating. So they adapted.
Around 1642 some European explorers came by, the first of which was Abel Tasman, a dutchman. He named the land he found 'New Zealand' which was dutch for 'new sea land' (how original!) then he kept sailing and named what we now know is Australia as 'New Holland' as well as the Tasman Sea which was named after him. He did come ashore here but the first contact did not end well! Then in 1770 Captain James Cook from England came by in his ship the Endeavour and made contact with the Maori, and was more successful.
I'll answer your second question in another post as, there were a lot ups and downs to this mixing of cultures and collision of two worlds!
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Thank you Lanolin
I had no idea that Maori had arrived from other islands
I thought they had always been there so at one time they no inhabitants? That is amazing.
I didn't know about Abel Tasman either. I am presuming that Tasmania was named after him
It took England a long time to find New Zealand.
Well, you (and I) learn something new everyday...!
Ok so Captain James Cook was sent on an expedition to find the transit of Venus. So he was sailing around the Pacific (the Cook Islands were named after him) and picked up a Polynesian by the name of Tupaia who was also a navigator, and thus, he had him on board when he came to New Zealand, and since Tupaia's language was similar to Maori, he could communicate with Maori.
And so the Maori were friendly with the Endeavour when they came to anchor on the East Coast of New Zealand. Plus the Endeavour had things the Maori were curious about and wanted, like nails, guns, and...potatoes!
So a trade was set up. The botanists on board the Endeavour were curious about the Maori too and the new and unusual native plants and animals they saw. The Maori being a war-like people, were constantly fighting in their tribes. So they were keen to have these new 'fighting sticks' the British had.
Cook went back to England, told others, and the Brits being an island nation with a similar temperate climate, soon came with their ships to take advantage of the whales and seals they could catch and trade with the Maori in return for anchorage of their ships. Plus it was getting a bit crowded in the British isles...
The Dutch weren't that interested...they were more after spices and gold...when they didn't see any, they just went searching for El Dorado elsewhere.
Ok so Captain James Cook was sent on an expedition to find the transit of Venus. So he was sailing around the Pacific (the Cook Islands were named after him) and picked up a Polynesian by the name of Tupaia who was also a navigator, and thus, he had him on board when he came to New Zealand, and since Tupaia's language was similar to Maori, he could communicate with Maori.
And so the Maori were friendly with the Endeavour when they came to anchor on the East Coast of New Zealand. Plus the Endeavour had things the Maori were curious about and wanted, like nails, guns, and...potatoes!
So a trade was set up. The botanists on board the Endeavour were curious about the Maori too and the new and unusual native plants and animals they saw. The Maori being a war-like people, were constantly fighting in their tribes. So they were keen to have these new 'fighting sticks' the British had.
Cook went back to England, told others, and the Brits being an island nation with a similar temperate climate, soon came with their ships to take advantage of the whales and seals they could catch and trade with the Maori in return for anchorage of their ships. Plus it was getting a bit crowded in the British isles...
The Dutch weren't that interested...they were more after spices and gold...when they didn't see any, they just went searching for El Dorado elsewhere.
Maori (which means normal) and Pakeha (which is 'white man' or even 'foreigner') did start mixing once everyone heard about the new lands in the Southern Hemisphere. The whalers came, the sealers came, and also the missionaries came.
The missionaries of course, were on a mission to spread the gospel. It was tough at first because the Maori practiced cannibalism! And they also took revenge and held grudges. The tribes fought each other over lands. But eventually the missionaries learned Maori and the Maori were curious about the missionaries desire for peace and plus..they had potatoes. So maybe they didn't have to fight over the last piece of kumara anymore (all the moas and seals and whales had been clubbed to death by then) . So for a time mission stations were successful and Maori and Pakeha lived at peace with one another. The Maori learned English and took to wearing western clothes (much warmer) and learning western ways. They even intermarried.
The missionaries of course, were on a mission to spread the gospel. It was tough at first because the Maori practiced cannibalism! And they also took revenge and held grudges. The tribes fought each other over lands. But eventually the missionaries learned Maori and the Maori were curious about the missionaries desire for peace and plus..they had potatoes. So maybe they didn't have to fight over the last piece of kumara anymore (all the moas and seals and whales had been clubbed to death by then) . So for a time mission stations were successful and Maori and Pakeha lived at peace with one another. The Maori learned English and took to wearing western clothes (much warmer) and learning western ways. They even intermarried.
Ok so for a while Maori were quite happy the Europeans (mostly Brits) were coming cos they brought new things, food and technology, but as more and more came, there was soon trouble.
Mission stations were established that had a good effect though, as many heard the gospel and the Bible was translated into Maori, and Maori learned to read and write in their own language at the mission schools. Eventually they gave up cannibalism and learned more peaceful ways of resolving conflict.
But it was the lawless, heathen Brits, mostly whalers and sealers came with their alcoholic drink and this had a bad effect on Maori. And things were not all that well back in Britannia either, as overpopulation, poverty and crime was reaching crisis point. Lots of convicts were sent to Australia as that was how England dealt with their own prison population. And some private enterprises were set up to allow for mass emigration of settlers to New Zealand. But first, they had to annexe the land, and set up a treaty with the Maori to establish government of the new land.
On February 6 1840, Maori chiefs of many tribes and the acting Governor General both signed what is now known as the Treaty of Waitangi, to allow Queen Victoria to govern the land, and for both Maori and Pakeha (non-Maori) to recognise her sovereignty, and to make everyone subjects of her. However, Maori had a differing translation that to them meant they would be equal partners with the Queen (who they saw as another chief) while retaining their own sovereignty over their own land.
Mission stations were established that had a good effect though, as many heard the gospel and the Bible was translated into Maori, and Maori learned to read and write in their own language at the mission schools. Eventually they gave up cannibalism and learned more peaceful ways of resolving conflict.
But it was the lawless, heathen Brits, mostly whalers and sealers came with their alcoholic drink and this had a bad effect on Maori. And things were not all that well back in Britannia either, as overpopulation, poverty and crime was reaching crisis point. Lots of convicts were sent to Australia as that was how England dealt with their own prison population. And some private enterprises were set up to allow for mass emigration of settlers to New Zealand. But first, they had to annexe the land, and set up a treaty with the Maori to establish government of the new land.
On February 6 1840, Maori chiefs of many tribes and the acting Governor General both signed what is now known as the Treaty of Waitangi, to allow Queen Victoria to govern the land, and for both Maori and Pakeha (non-Maori) to recognise her sovereignty, and to make everyone subjects of her. However, Maori had a differing translation that to them meant they would be equal partners with the Queen (who they saw as another chief) while retaining their own sovereignty over their own land.
haha fallen asleep from my history lesson yet?
Don't worry, as most of us were not there when the treaty was signed, it's hard to fathom looking back exactly what each party was really thinking when they signed it.
Because after it was signed there really was a war, but this time fighting over the land.
Don't worry, as most of us were not there when the treaty was signed, it's hard to fathom looking back exactly what each party was really thinking when they signed it.
Because after it was signed there really was a war, but this time fighting over the land.
Ok this is where history gets a bit murky, because, although the treaty was signed, and the Brits might have thought hooray we can now emigrate in larger numbers the land is ours for a colony..and the Maori might have thought hooray well the brits are going to be governed by THEIR chief and we can keep on with the trade and exchange on our lands...
It was not so clear cut..nor was it an equal partnership as supposed. One of the chiefs, Hone Heke did not like it when the Brits raised a flag to say the land was theirs and he kept cutting down the flagpole that had their flag on it.
Then the Maori thought, maybe we need a King of our own to be equal with the Brit's monarch..who at the time was Queen Victoria. So there was the King movement in what is now known as 'King country' near the Waikato river, which had very rich fertile land the Brits coveted for dairy farms. Maori were made up of different tribes (known as hapu or iwi) and they were not all united as one. But having a King, one leader, meant they could be more effective in trading with the Brits, who also had what they saw as one chief. Chiefs had 'mana' or prestige and authority to govern, so they were not dealing with any old Tom Dick or harry who wanted to buy land.
Or so they thought. What they didn't know was the British crown wanted the GOOD maori land the Maori were not willing to sell and the Brits had a whole army to back them up coming from ships to take it from them by force if need be.
Hence, soon after the treaty was signed, the New Zealand Land Wars broke out. It was a big mess.
It was not so clear cut..nor was it an equal partnership as supposed. One of the chiefs, Hone Heke did not like it when the Brits raised a flag to say the land was theirs and he kept cutting down the flagpole that had their flag on it.
Then the Maori thought, maybe we need a King of our own to be equal with the Brit's monarch..who at the time was Queen Victoria. So there was the King movement in what is now known as 'King country' near the Waikato river, which had very rich fertile land the Brits coveted for dairy farms. Maori were made up of different tribes (known as hapu or iwi) and they were not all united as one. But having a King, one leader, meant they could be more effective in trading with the Brits, who also had what they saw as one chief. Chiefs had 'mana' or prestige and authority to govern, so they were not dealing with any old Tom Dick or harry who wanted to buy land.
Or so they thought. What they didn't know was the British crown wanted the GOOD maori land the Maori were not willing to sell and the Brits had a whole army to back them up coming from ships to take it from them by force if need be.
Hence, soon after the treaty was signed, the New Zealand Land Wars broke out. It was a big mess.
I didn't really know, because I'm not British, that the United Kingdom is made up of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and not all of them like each other as supposed. When I went over there to visit my sister, I went on a tour of the British isles, and was disheartened to learn what a raw deal the Irish and the Scots had from the English. Because the seat of the monarchy is really in London, the it's the English who wield the most power, and it was so at time of Queen Victoria, when the treaty was signed.
The treaty had been signed under the express wishes of the Governer General (representative of the crown or Queen) to make New Zealand a British colony. And for a colony to work, it had to trade resources back to the 'mother land'. Initially it was timber and flax, which the land already had. But it didn't have established farms for dairy and wool. The Brits needed more land to do this. And so they looked to the Waikato, which was the most fertile land. They brought over their cows and sheep, cos all the land had at the time were birds, the Maori had hunted the giant moa out of existence. There were no other mammals except bats.
The treaty had been signed under the express wishes of the Governer General (representative of the crown or Queen) to make New Zealand a British colony. And for a colony to work, it had to trade resources back to the 'mother land'. Initially it was timber and flax, which the land already had. But it didn't have established farms for dairy and wool. The Brits needed more land to do this. And so they looked to the Waikato, which was the most fertile land. They brought over their cows and sheep, cos all the land had at the time were birds, the Maori had hunted the giant moa out of existence. There were no other mammals except bats.
The New Zealand wars...a potted history
Between 1840 to 1880 a number of battles were fought between Maori and British (Pakeha) over land disputes.
As mentioned, it was Waikato was most coveted, while other battles and disputes also erupted around Taranaki, (Waitara land purchase) and Bay of Plenty, Tauranga (Gate Pa) where land was 'confiscated' since Maori would not 'submit' to the British Crown's claim that they bought it.
Also a number of tribes chiefs did NOT sign the Treaty of Waitangi, so they barred Pakeha from crossing the land, and actively resisted by pulling out survey pegs and cultivating/ploughing areas that had always been theirs. King Country, the Ureweras and Parihaka were places that were most resistant, and those at Parihaka practiced non-violent passive resistance, so were jailed for not moving when the British militia tried to remove them, by burning down all their homes, taking away all their goods etc.
In fighting style Maori built pas, sort of like forts/castles where they would hide in their dug trenches and behind palisades and use their taiaha (spears) and mere (clubs) versus the British firepower - muskets, bayonets, cannons. Of course it was an uneven match. But many Maori did not back down and formed war parties (taua) where they would go charging, though the Brits by then were outnumbering them and getting shipments of reinforcements from the vast British army that were roped into take the land. Maori were on the defensive, the Brits, the invading offensive, though to the Brits, the Maori were 'rebels' because they didn't submit to their hastily declared govt.
Hello, they didn't even know they were meant to live 'under' Queen Victoria as she did not personally visit, she just sent Governing Generals and many of these did not even bother to learn the Maori language.
However there emerged some prophets, really Maori mystics or former tohunga (priests, wizards) who tried to keep the peace, and after all the confiscations Maori accepted defeats and were too tired to fight the battles but kept their grievances to take them to where it was all happening in the Land Courts where everything was now negotiated with lawyers and politicians. Maori were granted to 4 seats positions in the parliament as representative of their interests. (Out of 120 seats) At least it was something.
Between 1840 to 1880 a number of battles were fought between Maori and British (Pakeha) over land disputes.
As mentioned, it was Waikato was most coveted, while other battles and disputes also erupted around Taranaki, (Waitara land purchase) and Bay of Plenty, Tauranga (Gate Pa) where land was 'confiscated' since Maori would not 'submit' to the British Crown's claim that they bought it.
Also a number of tribes chiefs did NOT sign the Treaty of Waitangi, so they barred Pakeha from crossing the land, and actively resisted by pulling out survey pegs and cultivating/ploughing areas that had always been theirs. King Country, the Ureweras and Parihaka were places that were most resistant, and those at Parihaka practiced non-violent passive resistance, so were jailed for not moving when the British militia tried to remove them, by burning down all their homes, taking away all their goods etc.
In fighting style Maori built pas, sort of like forts/castles where they would hide in their dug trenches and behind palisades and use their taiaha (spears) and mere (clubs) versus the British firepower - muskets, bayonets, cannons. Of course it was an uneven match. But many Maori did not back down and formed war parties (taua) where they would go charging, though the Brits by then were outnumbering them and getting shipments of reinforcements from the vast British army that were roped into take the land. Maori were on the defensive, the Brits, the invading offensive, though to the Brits, the Maori were 'rebels' because they didn't submit to their hastily declared govt.
Hello, they didn't even know they were meant to live 'under' Queen Victoria as she did not personally visit, she just sent Governing Generals and many of these did not even bother to learn the Maori language.
However there emerged some prophets, really Maori mystics or former tohunga (priests, wizards) who tried to keep the peace, and after all the confiscations Maori accepted defeats and were too tired to fight the battles but kept their grievances to take them to where it was all happening in the Land Courts where everything was now negotiated with lawyers and politicians. Maori were granted to 4 seats positions in the parliament as representative of their interests. (Out of 120 seats) At least it was something.
Funny how similar the Maori history is to the history of our Native Americans.
Not really 'funny' its indigneous people meeting new people, so similar in that respect, but otherwise it's actually quite a sad tale of greed ruining an initially promising relationship for both cultures who had much to offer each other.
However, things are slowly improving. Nowadays we play rugby instead of fighting each other and are on the same team. (well, *I* don't play rugby, or any other sport but you know what I mean).
However, things are slowly improving. Nowadays we play rugby instead of fighting each other and are on the same team. (well, *I* don't play rugby, or any other sport but you know what I mean).
Staff Clarification: In post # 216, the word "funny" was used. Then in Post # 217, a slight misunderstanding was evident.
In USA English, the word 'funny' when used this way, means 'ironic' - not something humorous.
We must all remember that word usage in one country may not mean the exact same thing in another country. CFS has members from 41 countries at this time and word usage and meaning may differ at times between members.
Thank you.
`
In USA English, the word 'funny' when used this way, means 'ironic' - not something humorous.
We must all remember that word usage in one country may not mean the exact same thing in another country. CFS has members from 41 countries at this time and word usage and meaning may differ at times between members.
Thank you.
`
My home town Henderson and the surrounding forest (now West Auckland) was bought/traded from the Maori tribe Te Kawerau a Maki for a schooner that was estimated value of 500 pounds. It was 17,784 acres so it would have cost Scotsman Thomas Henderson sixpence three farthings an acre.
He built a timber mill and logged the forest for kauri trees and when they had all been cut down and burned, their gum was dug up and also sold. It fetched a high price at the time (called poor mans' gold) and was used for varnish etc.
After that Pakeha settled in the area as well as Dalmations who grew vineyards and orchards. The area was not great for pastoral farming mostly clay in West Auckland. The Brits so wanted to farm the flat lands in the Waikato, but they could not make the land work and pay its way until someone figured how to drain it as much of that land is peat.
Now it is the most productive land for dairy farming, butter being the main export back to England.In the South Island it was sheep farming for wool and later meat when refrigerated transport became viable.
Unfortunately grazing and clearing the bush was not always great for the land itself which became badly eroded and depleted in areas where the land was marginal. However those living in the hilly ranges in West Auckland banded together to protect the rainforest and gave their land back to be part of the Auckland regional park, to be protected forever. It was also a catchment source for all the water supply of the city and reservoirs and dams were built to feed the growing city of Auckland.
He built a timber mill and logged the forest for kauri trees and when they had all been cut down and burned, their gum was dug up and also sold. It fetched a high price at the time (called poor mans' gold) and was used for varnish etc.
After that Pakeha settled in the area as well as Dalmations who grew vineyards and orchards. The area was not great for pastoral farming mostly clay in West Auckland. The Brits so wanted to farm the flat lands in the Waikato, but they could not make the land work and pay its way until someone figured how to drain it as much of that land is peat.
Now it is the most productive land for dairy farming, butter being the main export back to England.In the South Island it was sheep farming for wool and later meat when refrigerated transport became viable.
Unfortunately grazing and clearing the bush was not always great for the land itself which became badly eroded and depleted in areas where the land was marginal. However those living in the hilly ranges in West Auckland banded together to protect the rainforest and gave their land back to be part of the Auckland regional park, to be protected forever. It was also a catchment source for all the water supply of the city and reservoirs and dams were built to feed the growing city of Auckland.
it is not ironic it is actually tragic for a people to be disposessed in this manner but that is what happened.Staff Clarification: In post # 216, the word "funny" was used. Then in Post # 217, a slight misunderstanding was evident.
In USA English, the word 'funny' when used this way, means 'ironic' - not something humorous.
We must all remember that word usage in one country may not mean the exact same thing in another country. CFS has members from 41 countries at this time and word usage and meaning may differ at times between members.
Thank you.
`
Maori however were not driven to designated 'reservations' like the native Americans far from their original lands of their iwi but they did retreat into the hinterlands, the King Country and other areas that they knew about and lived and could grow their kumara and farm but were much less self sufficient and relied on Pakeha technology like nails, the potato which they could grow year round, fishing grounds, wild pigs etc, Most Maori live rurally within their tribal lands in villages and pas where they had their Marae (meeting house) they had left - the great migration to the Pakeha towns and cities of the 1950s onwards was yet to happen.
Because it was colder in the South Island less Maori lived there, so the Pakeha found that area easier to settle, and could build their towns and cities wherever there was a good harbour, for at the time, people could only come to NZ by ship.