NETWORK

ŌTAUTAHI

BEFORE THE TREATY

800-1200

 Polynesian settlers come to Aotearoa from the Pacific Islands of the northeast. Kūmara and other food plants from Polynesia are grown in northern regions. Much of Aotearoa is covered in forests. Moa are found in many areas of the country. Other birds and seals are very common.

The settlers explore most of Aotearoa. They establish small coastal communities. Hunting and fishing are important sources of food.

Moa and other bones supply materials for making fish hooks arid ornaments. Sources of obsidian, greenstone and argillite are discovered, and are carried long distances for use as tools.

Pits are used for winter storage of crops by the end of the period.

1200-1500

 There is a growth in the population, particularly in the north. Fortified villages, or pa, are developed.

New woodcarving styles are introduced such as the double spiral arid manaia motif. Greenstone is used for both ornaments and tools.

Strict rules of tapu develop.

Burning destroys large areas of forest. Numbers of moa and other birds decline. Gardens for kūmara, taro and gourds are developed, mostly in the North Island.

Lines of communication spread throughout the country. Rock drawings are made in caves in North Otago and South Canterbury. Styles of ornaments, tools and fishing gear develop.

1500-1800

 The moa becomes extinct.

Warfare increases (possibly because of increased competition for food and resources as the population increases).

Majority of people now live in the northern half of the North Island.

New types of pa defences are built, such as double ditches.

1642

 Able Tasman sights Aotearoa.

Climate changes occur, affecting kūmara growth in colder areas. Greater use is made of fern roots as a food resource. Carving styles become more intricate.

1769

 Capt. James Cook makes his first visit.

1772

 French expedition under Capt. Marion du Fresne arrives. Du Fresne and a number of crew are ki1led, following which the French retaliate by killing 250 northern Māori.

1773

 Cooks second visit. Pigs are introduced.

1777

 Cooks third visit.

European sealers set up temporary camps on the coastline. Māori raise pigs for food and also for trade with Europeans. European goods are obtained in return.

1790

 First severe epidemic amongst Māori. Probably influenza, it wiped out an estimated 2/3 of the southern North Island population.

1792

 First sealing gang is left on the New Zealand coastline at Dusky Sound, Fiordland.

1800

 Estimated popu1ation: Māori 100 000 - 200 000; Pākehā 50.

Over 66 Million acres of land in Māori control.

New diseases introduced by the European include measles, dysentery, sexua11y-transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, inf1uenza, and whooping cough.

1806

 First Pākehā women arrive in Aotearoa.

1807

 From 1807 there was intense competition among whaling ships from France, America, Norway, Spain, and the East India Company, with some sixteen boats arriving each year by 1813. By then Māori were benefiting considerably, having a monopoly on providing supplies. From imported seeds, huge gardens were planted out. The excess was exported, treated flax, timber, potatoes, sweet corn, preserved fish and pork being sent with the main shipments of seal skins, whale oil and bone. In return Māori were exposed to all manner of European goods and commodities. They also became accustomed to trading with cash.

1814

 Reverend Samuel Marsden arrives at the Bay of Islands, bringing horses, cattle, sheep and poultry with him. Potatoes, and other vegetables (introduced by Cook) are now spread throughout Aotearoa, grown mainly by Māori, although missionaries and whalers have established small-scale farms.

Sydney merchants are now trading with Māori for flax, timber and other produce.

1815

 First land sale negotiated with Nga Puhi. For a number of axes, Marsden obtained land on which to build the Church Mission Settlement at the Bay of Islands.

1816

 First Mission School established. More followed in the 1820's with the Mission Schools peak period being the 1830-1840's. Missionaries sought to convert Māori people to Christianity, and along with this, to initiate them 'in the customs and manners of civilised life' [Samuel Marsden].

1820

 Nga Puhi chief Hongi Hika travels to England, as a guest of missionary Thomas Kendall, where he obtains an audience with King George IV, and also a small arsenal of muskets. Following his return, and initiated by Nga Puhi, 10 years of musket wars break out. The casualties of constant raiding eventually become unendurable, causing many tribes to look for new, safer territories. The new type of warfare makes it difficult for tribes to unite. Weaker tribes suffer huge losses.

1820-1840

 Te Rauparaha, the Ngati Toa, and allies move south from the Waikato and Taranaki regions.

1823

 In a move of dubious legality or practical effect, the jurisdiction of the New South Wales 'Courts of Justice' is extended to cover British subjects in Aotearoa.

Wesleyan missionaries arrive.

1825

 First Māori baptism is recorded. Missionaries are translating the Bible into Māori. Traders from Australia are living in Māori communities, exporting timber, flax and food.

1826

 First (largely unsuccessful) British attempt at colonisation occurs, initiated by the formation of the New Zealand Company in England. Both Edward Gibbon Wakefield and his brother William are serving out four-year prison sentences in England. William for civil debt, and Edward for abduction and demanding ransoms, for a 15 year old heiress.

1829

 Te Rauparaha sacks Kaikoura.

1830

 Estimated 350 Pākehā living in New Zealand.

Trade statistics show 28 ships averaging 110 tons make 56 voyages between Sydney and New Zealand, carrying Māori grown potatoes and milled grain.

Whalers are established at 22 onshore bases, mainly in the South Island. 'Intermarriage' is occurring.

Paramount Kai Tahu chief Te Maiharanui is seized, taken on board the British Brig Elizabeth at Akaroa, tortured and murdered. The same year, Te Rauparaha sacks Akaroa.

1831

 Te Rauparaha sacks Kaiapoi and Onawe, but is forced to withdraw at Arowhenua.

1832-1834

 Kai Tahu retaliates against Te Rauparaha.

1833

 British Government, concerned at the New Zealand Companies activities, and the involvement of convicted felons Edward and William Wakefield, as well as the growing lawlessness amongst British subjects resident here appoints James Busby as British Resident. Settlers are anxious to have a British style justice system. Likewise, Māori chiefs could see the advantages in an impartial tribunal to hold the balance between the tribes and encroaching settlers. Māori show a keen interest in European technology.

In the far north, mass conversions of Nga Puhi to Christianity are occurring. Slaves captured during the musket wars are released, and they in turn, carry the gospel message back to their iwi.

Throughout the 1830's a rapid spread of literacy is occurring amongst Māori. Those who have learnt to read or write (in Māori) at the Mission schools, are passing their knowledge on to others, and establishing their own schools.

1834

 A flag of independence is adopted by northern chiefs, following the seizure of the Sir George Murray and the impounding of her cargo in Sydney, on the basis that she is not a registered vessel.

1835

 An estimated 4000 Māori die as a measles epidemic, introduced by whalers, sweeps through the southern South Island.

The DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE is signed at Waitangi by the confederation of northern chiefs. Drafted by Busby, the document declares New Zealand an independent state, guarantees to the chiefs their sovereignty, and acknowledges the King of England as protector of their interests.

1836

 151 whaling vessels visited the Bay of Islands, the numbers being even higher in the following six months. On another account 861 British whalers came to New Zealand between 1771 and 1844, on 2153 voyages. Soon, the greater interest in whaling shifted to the South Island and the East Coast of the North Island, although the Bay of Islands remained important.

1838

 Roman Catholic Mission arrives at the Bay of Islands.

Tuhawaiki of Kai Tahu attacks Te Rauparaha at Cook Strait.

1838-1848

 Recurring measles epidemics amongst southern Māori.

1840

 Over 66 million acres of land is still in Māori control (reduced to 3 million acres by 1988). The Pākehā population is estimated at 2000 individuals (1200 in the North Island).

The first major migrations from England, financed by the New Zealand Company, arrive at Port Nicholson, Wanganui and Akaroa.

Captain William Hobson arrives on 30 January. Busby helps Hobson draft the TREATY OF WAITANGI, based on instructions from England, and missionary Henry Williams, and his son, translate it into Māori. Beginning on February the 6th at Waitangi, the Māori text of the Treaty is signed. For Māori this is a re-declaration of independence, guaranteeing the retention of Māori Land, Forests and Fisheries.

Acknowledgements:

Māori Language Home Page | Legislative Violations of the Treaty

He Wakaputanga O Te Rangatiratanga O Nu Tireni | The Declaration of Independence of New Zealand

The Treaty | Te Tiriti | Translated Treaty | Commentary | The 1869 Translation

This text supplied by Network Waitangi Ōtautahi. Trustbank Community House, 187 Cashel St, Ōtautahi (Christchurch). Ph (03) 365-5266; Fx (03) 366-8535.

Last updated 10 February 2001. Contact me.