about new zealand

Report by Miguel Kristoffer C. Efondo

Student, I Communication Arts III

Welcome to the youngest country on earth!

Aotearoa New Zealand is the youngest country on earth

and the last land mass to be discovered by humans. It
was the Maori, the people of the Pacific, who arrived here
in their great ocean-going waka (canoes), bringing with
them cultures and traditions that are still followed today.

Photo credit: Photo New Zealand

New Zealand is the youngest country on earth - the last major landmass to be
discovered. 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.

01 | Treaty of Waitangi

New Zealand’s Founding Document

Signed in 1840, the Treaty of Waitangi is an agreement between the British Crown and
Maori. It established British law in New Zealand, while at the same time guaranteeing
Maori authority over their land and culture. The Treaty is considered New Zealand’s
founding document.

Declaration of Independence

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After Captain Cook’s exploration of New Zealand in the late 18 th century, an increasing
number of settlers came to New Zealand. By 1839, there were an estimated 2,000
Pakeha (Europeans) living in New Zealand. In 1833, after increasing lawlessness
amongst traders and settlers, the British government appointed James Busby as British
Resident to protect British trading interests and counter the growing lawlessness.

In 1835, the French were looking to trade and settle in New Zealand and had started to
buy land. In response to this, the British Crown signed a Declaration of Independence
with 34 northern Maori Chiefs. This declared New Zealand an independent state under
British rule. It also stated that ‘no claim could be made on New Zealand without Maori
agreement’.

Despite Busby’s presence, lawlessness, and the number of dubious land sales to
Pakeha, increased. The British Government decided there was a need for some effective
rule in New Zealand. In 1840, they sent Captain William Hobson there as Lieutenant-
Governor. His mission was to acquire the Sovereignty of New Zealand, by way of a
treaty with the native Maori Chiefs.

Treaty of Waitangi

A treaty was drawn up and translated. After a day of debate, the Treaty of Waitangi was
signed on February 6, 1840, at Waitangi in the Bay of Islands. Forty-three Northland
Chiefs signed the treaty on that day. Over 500 Maori Chiefs signed it as it was taken
around the country during the next eight months.

The grounds and building where the treaty was signed have been preserved. Today, the
Waitangi Historic Reserve is a popular tourist attraction. There is a large Maori meeting
house, the colonial mission house, an historic flagstaff, as well as a very long waka taua
(Maori war canoe).

Open to Interpretation

While most treaties and contracts signed by Britain and her colonies during these times
have been forgotten, the Treaty of Waitangi remains central to New Zealand law and
society. It is considered by many to be the country’s founding document. However, ever
since its signing, the Treaty of Waitangi has presented many problems of interpretation.

The English and Maori versions of the treaty both contain three articles. However, as the
Treaty was written and translated by people with little or no legal experience, the Maori
translation differs widely in interpretation from the English version.

The first article covers sovereignty. The English version states that Maori give up their
‘kawanatanga’ (governorship or sovereignty) to the British Crown. However, while the
English version describes a complete transference of power to the Crown, the Maori
version implies a sharing of power.

The second article concerns ‘tino rangatiratanga’ or chieftainship. The Maori version
promises much broader rights for Maori in regard to possession of their existing ‘taonga’
(treasures). The English version gives Maori control over their lands, forests, fisheries,
and other properties. But the Maori version, with its use of the word ‘taonga’, implies
possession and protection of things such as language and culture. The third Article

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promises Maori the rights of all British subjects, while protecting traditional and
customary rights.

The Waitangi Tribunal

Although it is referred to as New Zealand’s ‘founding document’, many of the rights

guaranteed to Maori in the document have been ignored. Despite the protection offered
in the Treaty of Waitangi, Maori lost considerable amounts of land through the 19 th and
20th centuries. The manner in which the land was lost was often questionable, and led to
considerable protest from Maori.

In 1975, the government established the Waitangi Tribunal. This tribunal was
established to honour the treaty as a relevant and living document. Since then, the
Waitangi Tribunal has ruled on a number of claims brought by Maori iwi (tribes). In many
cases, compensation, often in the form of financial payments and land, has been
granted. In the last ten years, some particularly large settlements have been made
between the Government and major iwi, including Tainui of the Waikato, and Ngai Tahu
of the South Island. Much of the compensation has been invested in order to provide
educational and health services for members of the iwi.

Which translation of the Treaty of Waitangi is the right one? Both. Because both versions
are signed, the Waitangi Tribunal is instructed to have regard to both texts when making
decisions.

02 | The Youngest Country

New Zealand, the Youngest Country

Legend has it that New Zealand was fished from the sea. Fact has it that New Zealand
was the last land mass on earth to be discovered, making New Zealand the youngest
country on earth.

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 Rather than using a written language, Maori
people passed knowledge and customs
from one generation to the next through
stories, songs and carvings. In many parts
of New Zealand, local Maori guides offer
fascinating insights into the history and
cultural significance of their mountains,
rivers and lush native forests.

Photo credit: James Heremaia

Nation of Migrants

The first New Zealanders, the Maori, migrated here from their ancestral Polynesian
homeland of Hawaiki. This was followed about 800 years later by extensive European
migration. The influence of Pacific Island and Asian immigrants during the 20th century
has helped shape New Zealand into an even more vibrant and diverse multicultural
society.

From Hawaiki to Aotearoa

Maori first landed in Aotearoa (New Zealand — literally ‘Land of the Long White Cloud)
on waka hourua (voyaging canoes) from their ancestral homeland of Hawaiki probably
over 1,000 years ago. They settled throughout the land, surviving by farming and
hunting. By 1800 there were believed to be over 100,000 Maori in New Zealand.

European Migration

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Abel Tasman became the first European to sight New Zealand, but it was after Captain
James Cook began his circumnavigation of the country in 1769 that European migration
began. The first European migrants were whalers and missionaries.

One Nation

In 1839 there were only about 2000 Pakeha ( Europeans) in New Zealand. However the
signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, which saw New Zealand become a British
colony, had an enormous effect on the New Zealand population. British migrants were
offered a paid passage to New Zealand, and 40,000 arrived here between 1840 and
1860. By 1858 the Maori and Pakeha populations were nearly equal. The South Island
gold rush of the 1860s saw even more migrants flood in from around the world,
including English, Scots, Irish and Chinese. A labour shortage here in the late 19th
century saw even more migrants from the British Isles and Europe come to New
Zealand. Most came with assistance from the New Zealand Government.

Wine and Gum

From the 1890s over 5000 migrants from Dalmatia (now in Croatia) settled in the far
north. Most Dalmatians worked in the gumfields, digging for gum from the giant kauri
tree. When gumdigging ceased, many Dalmatians become involved with farming,
intermarrying with locals and becoming part of the rural community. Dalmatian
immigrants also established vineyards in West Auckland in the early 1900s. Today, some
of New Zealand’s best-known wines, including Babich and Pleasant Valley, come from
vineyards established by Dalmatians in this area.

Kilt Country

During the mid and late 1800s a large number of Scottish migrants settled in New
Zealand, especially in the South Island provinces of Otago and Southland. Dunedin
(from Dun Edin, the old Celtic name for Edinburgh) is the capital of Otago. It was
designed as a city for members of the Free Church of Scotland, which broke away from
the Church of Scotland in 1843. The Scottish influence can still be seen throughout the
city’s architecture, particularly in the University and Medical School. Pipes bands,
Scottish country dancing, and the sport of curling are all pastimes originally brought to
New Zealand by Scottish migrants, but now firmly part of the New Zealand way of life.

Golden Migrants

As well as bringing in large numbers of miners from Europe, Australia, and America, the
Otago gold rush attracted many male migrants from China. In the country they called
‘New Gold Hill’, many Chinese migrants suffered hardship, discrimination and loneliness.
Many of the descendants of these miners, and subsequent Chinese migrants, became
market gardeners. During World War II, Chinese market gardeners heroically contributed
to the war effort, producing massive amounts of food for troops.

Dutch Migration

Abel Tasman, who sighted New Zealand in 1642, was the first Dutchman to visit New
Zealand. In the 1950s an agreement between the Dutch and New Zealand governments
saw a large number of Dutch migrants settle throughout New Zealand. Dutch migrants
brought many skills with them, and made a major contribution to the development of
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the New Zealand restaurant, horticulture (particularly flower growing), building design,
and fashion industries. Today, about 100,000 New Zealanders can claim Dutch descent.
Thanks to Dutch migrants, New Zealand currently exports tulip bulbs to the
Netherlands!

Pacific Friends

During the 1960s and 70s New Zealand faced a severe labour shortage. This led to a
large number of migrants from the Pacific Islands arriving in New Zealand, especially in
Auckland. Pacific Islanders now make up more than 5 percent of the New Zealand
population, and Auckland is now the largest Polynesian city in the world. While Pacific
Islanders were originally employed in factories and lesser-skilled jobs, a growing number
are now entering the professions, and making a major contribution to professional sport,
fashion, popular music, television, and the arts in New Zealand. The influence of Pacific
Island food, fashion, and arts can be seen on the streets of most New Zealand cities.

Asian Migration

The last 15 years have seen considerable migration to New Zealand from Asia, including
Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Korea, and Japan. These Asian migrants have greatly
contributed to the New Zealand economy, particularly in the areas of business and the
professions. Most New Zealand cities now have many Asian restaurants and shops.

03 | Early Settlement

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.

Return Journeys

It is now thought that Polynesian migration was planned and deliberate, with many
waka hourua making return journeys to Hawaiki. Modern replicas of waka hourua, such
as Te Aurere, have successfully journeyed throughout the Pacific, using traditional
navigation methods.
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Tribal Waka

More waka hourua followed Kupe over the next few hundred years, landing at various
parts of New Zealand. Today, many iwi (tribes) can trace their entire origins and
whakapapa (genealogy) back to certain waka hourua.

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.

The Auckland War Memorial Museum has

one of the best collections of Maori
carvings in New Zealand. Set high on a hill
in the Auckland Domain, the museum is
one of Auckland’s most imposing
buildings, with views across the city.

Photo credit: www.h.leue.geonet.com

Hunters and Collectors

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Maori hunted native birds, including moa, the world’s largest bird, with a range of
ingenious traps and snares. Many different species of bird, including kereru and tui,
were eaten. However, the now-extinct huia was considered tapu (sacred) and was never
eaten; though its feathers were highly prized, and worn in the heads of rangatira
(chiefs). Penguins and seals were hunted and used as food by Maori, especially in the
South Island. Muttonbirds were popular in the far south of the country, and are still a
prized food today. They were stored in large bags of bull kelp, and could be preserved
for many months.

Grow Your Own

Maori ate native vegetables and also introduced vegetables from Polynesia, including
the kumara (sweet potato). Vegetables were planted and harvested with a variety of
tools including diggers, spades, and clubs. Maori also ate the roots of ferns, which they
pulverised with wooden pounders. Other food included various berries and puha (a
spinach-like vegetable). Maori also chewed gum — resin from the giant kauri tree.
Weaved flax basket and bags were used to carry food, which was often stored in a
pataka — a storehouse raised on stilts.

Scrumptious Earth Oven

Maori had an ingenious way of cooking food that is still popular today, and a must for
any visitor to try! The hangi, or umu, is an earth oven built in a large pit. Special stones
are placed over a fire of wooden sticks. A layer of green flax is laid above the stones,
and then layers of meat and vegetables are placed between more layers of flax. A mat
covers the oven. Water is then placed on the hot stones, which steams the food. Slow
cooking makes the food extremely tender, while the wood and the flax infuse the food
with a beautiful delicate and smoky flavour.

Fighting Fit

In pre-European times, skirmishes between Maori tribes would often occur. To protect
themselves from being attacked by other iwi, Maori would construct a pa (fortified
village). These pa were often built in strategic locations, such as at the top of hills and
on ridges. Most pa were cleverly constructed, with a series of stockades and trenches
protecting the inhabitants from intruders. Today, many historic pa sites can be found
throughout the country.

Once Were Warriors

Both before and after the arrival of European, Maori have proved to be excellent
warriors. Only men fought, and one of the most highly prized weapons was the spear-
like taiaha. This weapon, often beautifully carved, is still used in Maori ceremonies
today, and its use has become a highly sophisticated art form. Another fearsome
weapon was the mere (club), beautifully carved, with some made out of pounamu
(greenstone or jade). A warrior with a full moko (tattoo) on his face, brandishing a taiaha
or mere, makes a fearsome sight.

Focal Point

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The marae (meeting grounds) was a focal point of Maori communities, and still fulfils a
crucial role in Maori society today. Wharenui (meeting houses — literally ‘big house’)
were large structures at the centre of the marae. A wharenui resembles a human body
in structure. The front part, called the koruru, represents the head. The maihi are large
boards that reach from the ‘head’ down to the ground, and represent arms. The amo are
short boards at the front of the wharenui representing legs, while the tahuhu, a large
beam running down the length of the roof, represents the spine. Many wharenui contain
intricate carvings and panels that refer to the whakapapa (genealogy) of the tribe, and
to Maori creation stories.

The fern is widely used as a sporting, trading, and tourism

symbol. There are 180 different species of fern in New
Zealand. Bright green on top and silver underneath, ferns
were used by Maori to guide them through the forest.

Photo credit: Brian High

Moriori

While Maori lived throughout the North and South Islands, the Moriori, another
Polynesian tribe, lived on the Chatham Islands, nearly 900 kilometres east of
Christchurch. Moriori are believed to have migrated to the Chathams from the South
Island of New Zealand. In the late 18th century, there were about 2000 Moriori living on
the Chathams. However, disease and attacks from Maori saw the numbers of this peace-
loving tribe become severely depleted. The last full-blooded Moriori is believed to have
died in 1933.

04 | Colonisation

Colonialism

Though a Dutchman was the first European to sight the country, it was the British who
colonised New Zealand. With growing numbers of British migrants, and a dwindling and
largely landless Maori population, British culture dominated New Zealand life throughout

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the 19th and first half of the 20th centuries. However, since World War II, New Zealand
has moved towards its own unique national identity and place in the world.

The New Zealand flag is the official symbol of the

government and people of New Zealand. Its royal
blue background represents blue sea and clear
skies. The stars of the Southern Cross emphasise
the country’s location in the South Pacific Ocean.
The Union Jack acknowledges historical
foundations, and the fact that New Zealand was
once a British colony.

Photo credit: Sonya Cullimore

Early Visitor

The first European to sight New Zealand was Dutch explorer Abel Tasman. He was on an
expedition to discover a great Southern continent ‘Great South Land’ that was believed
to be rich in minerals. In 1642, while searching for this continent, Tasman sighted a
‘large high-lying land’ off the West Coast of the South Island.

First Contact

First to discover New Zealand in 1642, Abel Tasman annexed the country for Holland
under the name of ‘Staten Landt’ (later changed to ‘New Zealand’ by Dutch
mapmakers). Sailing up the country’s West Coast, Tasman’s first contact with Maori was
at the top of the South Island in what is now called Golden Bay. Two waka (canoes) full
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of Maori men sighted Tasman’s boat. Tasman sent out his men in a small boat, but
various misunderstandings saw it rammed by one of the waka. In the resulting skirmish,
four of Tasman’s men were killed.

Non-Profit Making Venture

Tasman never set foot on New Zealand, and after sailing up the West Coast, went on to
some Pacific Islands, and then back to Batavia (now Jakarta) in the Dutch East Indies
(now Indonesia). His mission to New Zealand was considered unsuccessful by his
employers, the Dutch East India Company, Tasman having found ‘no treasures or
matters of great profit’.

Venus Envy

Captain James Cook, sent to Tahiti to observe the transit of Venus, was also tasked with
the search for the great southern continent thought to exist in the southern seas. Cook’s
cabin boy, Young Nick, sighted a piece of land (now called Young Nick’s Head) near
Gisborne in 1769.

Fine Specimens

Cook successfully circumnavigated and mapped the country. His botanists and other
experts on board his ship, the Endeavour, gained considerable information about the
country’s flora and fauna, and the native Maori inhabitants. Cook led two more
expeditions to New Zealand, before being killed on a Hawaiian beach in 1779.

Early Settlers

Prior to 1840, it was mainly whalers, sealers, and missionaries who came to New
Zealand. These settlers had considerable contact with Maori, especially in coastal areas.
Maori and Pakeha (Europeans) traded extensively, and some Europeans lived among
Maori.

Arms Trade

Before 1840, there were about 2000 Pakeha (Europeans) in New Zealand, most living in
the Bay of Islands. At this time, intertribal Maori warfare was frequent, and the arrival of
guns, which Maori traded from Pakeha, made it deadly. This, and the diseases brought
by the Pakeha, had a terrible effect on the Maori population, and their numbers started
to steeply decline.

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.

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 This mural from Whakatane depicts the coming together of the
Maori and Pakeha (European) people of New Zealand. Created
by a local artist, it celebrates the 150th anniversary of the
Treaty of Waitangi – New Zealand's founding document.

Photo credit: Bob Tulloch

Disputing Titles

As more migrants arrived and more land was needed for them, land disputes with Maori
increased. The ambiguity and lack of adherence to the Treaty of Waitangi saw
grievances increase and skirmishes multiply. These turned into full-scale war in
Northland during the mid 1840s, and in the rest of the country during the 1860s. British
troops helped the New Zealand colonial forces during these conflicts, as did some Maori.

Declining Numbers

During the land wars Maori were victorious on many occasions. Incidents such as the
defence of the Ohaewai Pa in Northland showed that Maori military engineering was
sophisticated and often superior to Pakeha. However, the force and greater number of
the colonial forces eventually saw the New Zealand Wars end in defeat for the Maori
tribes. Soon afterwards, the government seized vast tracts of Maori land including prime
farmland in Waikato and Taranaki. The major loss of land, combined with continued
deaths from disease, saw the Maori population steeply decline, dropping to only about
40,000 by 1900.

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 troops fought, and suffered
severe casualties in the Boer War and the two World Wars. As Prime Minister Michael
Savage said about England in 1939, ‘where she goes, we go, where she stands, we
stand’.

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A New Buddy

After World War II, cultural ties with Great Britain remained strong. However, successive
New Zealand governments saw the USA as their major ally and protector. New Zealand
signed the joined SEATO (South-East Asia Treaty Organisation) and signed the ANZUS
(Australia, New Zealand, and United States) Pact. New Zealand troops also fought with
US forces during the Korean and Vietnam wars.

Towards a Republic?

While New Zealand is still heavily influenced by its colonial heritage, the country now
has its own strong sense of identity. While still a member of the British Commonwealth,
and maintaining close, friendly relations with the USA, New Zealand now has a far more
independent trading and foreign policy. Since the mid 1980s, New Zealand has been a
nuclear free zone, with its armed forces primarily focused on peacekeeping in the Pacific
region. Today, even conservative politicians talk openly about New Zealand eventually
becoming a republic — something unheard of until quite recently.

100% Pure New Zealand

The Official Site for New Zealand Travel and Business
http://www.newzealand.com/International/

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