MAORI

Maoris are Eastern Polynesian people. Historians assuming that they have migrated to New Zealand from the Pacific in several waves from about 800 AD

This is a historical painting from the time when Captain James Cook landed.

When the British explorer and navigator Captain James Cook arrived there in 1776 and found around 100,000 Maoris have settled there on the island.

Before the European settlers arrived the Maoris shared language, customs, intermarriage and trade. They had no feuds but the arrival of the new settlers was seen as a threat. It united the people. Maori means normal or ordinary. 

They welcomed the trade but there was a growing resistance to the settlement along the shores.

The Treaty of Waitangi was signed by the chiefs and British representative in 1840. Britain received the right to govern New Zealand and to settle there, The Maoris kept the authority over their land and all their affair and gained British citizenship.

Taranaki Wars from 1860-61 and 1863-64 were a series of conflicts between Maoris and colonists in New Zealand's North Island.

The first war started when Te Teira, a Maori of the Taranaki region sold land to the British government without the permission of the his tribal chief. The fight began between the supporter of the chief and the surveyors came to inspect the land purchased.

The war ended inconclusive in April 1861 and the colonists were dissatisfied.

In April 1863 new fighting began and ended a year later with the loss of a large piece of Maori land. The hostility continued right through to 1872 but history does not accept it as part of Taranaki Wars.

By 1896 the population of the Maori was reduced to 40,000 from diseases.

After the second World War their numbers improved and many moved into towns to find work and better conditions.

By 1980 due to unemployment and loss of identity the Maoris demanded national recognition of their language, culture and the preservation of their remaining Maori land.

In 1995, during a visit to New Zealand by Queen Elizabeth II; she signed a legislation for compensation worth £70million including 39,000 acres land to the Tainui federation of people. Most of this land was confiscated by colonists

The Queen made a personal apology to the Maori people.

MAORI WARRIOR