New Zealand

New Zealand Timeline

Here is an example of the lifestyle of New Zealand's first settlers.

9th century AD	Maoris settle the northern island of New Zealand.
1642	Abel Tasman and his crew land on the southern island on December 18.
1769	Captain James Cook claims possession of New Zealand for England.
1814	Samuel Marsden sets up a mission at the Bay of Islands.
1839	The first settlers from New Zealand Company arrive, led by William Hobson. He was later appointed lieutenant governor.
1840	The Treaty of Waitangi is signed, the Maoris royal protection in exchange for land.
1841	By this time, permanent settlements are founded at Wellington, Nelson, and New Plymouth. New Zealand becomes a separate colony.
1850	The Maori Wars begin, lasting until the 1870's.

This tribute shows various leaders of the Maoris and the raw energy from their sun.

1856	New Zealand begins a responsible government. The cabinets report to the legislature, not the governor.
1861	Gold is discovered on South Island.
1893	New Zealand becomes the first country to allow women's suffrage.
1901	New Zealand joins the Commonwealth Federation.
1949	The National Party and Labour Party begin a political rivalry lasting to the present day. The Legislative Council is abolished.

New Zealand Fact Sheet

Colonial politicians and settlers thought they could combine Australia and New Zealand into a single "Australasian" colony.
Abel Tasman, the captain of the Netherlands's East Indies Company ship, Heemskerck, landed on the west coast of New Zealand's South Island in 1642. Four of his men were killed by Maoris, causing the rest to leave-- but not before naming the islands.
New Zealand was settled because it was great capital and Britain's working class was looking for a better life.
The Maori Wars were also known as "the fire in the fern."
New Zealand was a model settlement. By the end of the nineteenth century both islands were settled, the Maoris were suppressed, and a national government had been established.
The major industry in New Zealand is exporting agricultural commodities.
Seventy-five percent of New Zealand's electrical power is hydroelectric.
The Maoris make up only nine percent of the population, while white people make up eighty-six percent.
Maori art is very popular in New Zealand. In 1985, an exhibit called Te Maori was set up and exported to the United States.

Maori culture and art is a large part of New Zealand's heritage. Among the collections of such art is this beautiful carving.