Apart from being considered one of the most beautiful countries
in the world, New Zealand also has the distinction of being one
of the youngest. It was the last major land mass to be
discovered by Europeans, and today, this fascinating and
unspoiled country offers many reminders of its Maori and
Colonial history.
The earliest known settlers in the two islands were the
seafaring Maori, who arrived sometime between 1000 and 1300 AD,
although some evidence suggests they were there earlier. The
Maoris named the new land Aotearoa, meaning "Land of the Long
White Cloud", a name that still seems appropriate today.
The Maoris survived by hunting and farming and later by trading
with the European settlers. Today, New Zealand boasts several
places where you can still experience several fascinating
glimpses into the Maori's way of life and Maori culture is still
an important part of what has become an increasingly
multicultural society.
The Maoris were skilled fishermen, as well as expert sailors.
One of their traditions was to throw back the first fish caught
as a way of thanking the sea god for the catch - a tradition
that continues today. They were also adept at hunting the
world's largest bird, the Moa, and harvesting and eating
vegetables and potatoes.
One of the best places to gain an insight into their culture is
the restored Maori village at Tamaki, which offers the chance to
watch traditional singing, dancing and to purchase hand made
crafts. The highlight of your visit may be the opportunity to
sample a typical Maori meal, prepared the same way as it has
been for centuries - cooked for several hours on hot stones
buried under the ground.
The Dutch were the first Europeans to discover the two islands,
naming them Nieuw Zeeland, after the Dutch province of the same
name. The explorer Abel Tasman first sighted the land in 1642 -
although the first visit was not a success as there was fighting
between the Maoris and the Dutch. Tasman later named the bay
where he had anchored "Murderer's bay".
The Maoris were left in peace for the next hundred years until
the British explorer Captain James Cook arrived in the 18th
century. Cook's group had their misfortunes too - Maori warriors
killed and ate nine members of the ship's crew. New Zealand
could just as easily have become a French colony - by
coincidence, a French ship was exploring the area at the same
time although neither ship sighted the other.
From the late 1790s onwards, the north coast of the North
Island became a busy place, as traders, whaling ships and
missionaries established settlements there. The settlers traded
weapons with the Maoris - often trading muskets for fruit or
pigs. This led to the tribes fighting among themselves - a
bloody period in New Zealand's history that has become known as
the "Musket Wars".
The British signed a treaty to colonize the islands in
February, 1840 - the Treaty of Waitangi. While most Maoris were
agreeable to this, not every tribe was amenable and this led to
more fighting - a period known as the New Zealand Wars. One
skirmish was triggered off by the Maoris repeatedly cutting down
the ceremonial British flagpole in the settlement at Kororareka.
The following year New Zealand officially became a British
colony and the New Zealand Constitution Act was established in
1852. The islands saw a further increase in immigrants, not only
from the UK, but from other parts of Europe and the US as well.
And the late 19th century also saw the beginning of immigration
from China, with men arriving to work in the gold mines.
During the 1890s, New Zealand's economy, which had previously
relied mainly on trading and wool, was boosted by the increased
export of frozen meat to Britain. The invention of refrigeration
suddenly made it possible to keep meat cold for the duration of
the long sea crossing - New Zealand would remain a key player in
the refrigerated meat business until the 1970s.
New Zealand declared independence from the UK in 1907, although
the country remained a part of the British Empire and New
Zealanders fought alongside the British in both world wars. A
period of cooperation with the United States led to the signing
of the ANZUS treaty in 1951, guaranteeing that New Zealand,
Australia and America would assist each other if any of the
countries were to be invaded.
Today, New Zealand is an independent nation within the British
Commonwealth and still retains strong bonds with Britain. The
British Union Jack appears on the country's flag and an image of
the Queen can still be seen on some banknotes. People from all
over the world visit this remote nation to experience its
history and a taste of its unique culture.
