NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand a country of a group of islands in the Southern Pacific Ocean. The islands were populated by the Maori from around 800AD.

In 1642 came the first Europeans with a sighting by Dutch navigator Abel Tasman.

1769 Captain James Cook chartered the islands for the British.
In 1792 a commercial colonisation began by whaling companies arriving from New South Whales.

In 1837 the new settlers began to arrive through the New Zealand Company founded by E.G. Wakefield.

1840 the Treaty of Waitangi was signed by Maoris and British representatives which guaranteed Maori chiefs their land. The New Zealand Company tried to take the authority from the powerful Maori chief Te Rauparaha which cost 22 settlers their lives.

In 1846 The British Government introduced a limited constitution on New Zealand. It was renewed in 1848 and 1852, the island were divided into six provinces and had representative governments. in 1856 came self-government.

In 1860 the South Island prospered and then came the gold rush in 1860. At the same time confrontations broke out because settlers disregarded the Treaty of Waitangi.

In 1858 some Maori tribes united and a conflict broke out between them and the land grabbing colonists. The fighting became a disastrous Anglo-Maori war and ended only in 1872. The Maori were defeated and lost a lot of their land.

In 1881 a new regulation was signed which reduced the immigration of Asian. They resembled a threat to the purity of New Zealand's population.

In 1920 a new Immigration Restriction Act was worked out and was slowly eased off. The property qualification for voting was abolished and women were enfranchised in 1893.

In 1931 the country became independent but did not chose to ratify the Statute of Westminster till 1947

New Zealand fought at the side of the Allies in both World Wars. It kept its political independence and enjoyed a high standard of living. After the Second World War its defence policy  moved on to the Pacific and Far East.

In 1951 it joined the ANZUS security alliances with Australia and the USA and was also involved in the Vietnam war.

After 1973, when Britain joined the European Community; New Zealand trading links  became stronger with Australia and its Pacific Asian neighbours.

When in 1984 Labour came into power it adopted a non-nuclear policy which then led to a withdrawal from Anzus in 1986.

In 1990 the National Party led by Jim Bolger won the election when New Zealand had a recession. It confirmed Labour a non-nuclear policy but also introduced Welfare cuts. Bolger became re-election by a small majority in 1993 but had to form a coalition in 1996.

Maoris kept their campaign on for compensation of their lost land taken by European settlers.  In 1994 a compensation was granted to the Waikaro people and land returned..