Maori legend says that
Aotearoa, the Land of the Long White Cloud,
was fished from the sea. History however, credits Polynesian navigator
Kupe with the discovery of New Zealand around AD 800. This makes it the
last landmass on earth to have been discovered and the youngest country
on earth. Continuous settlement dates from about 1200, after which a
fairly steady migration of people came from Kupe's homeland of Hawaiki
(Ra'iatea, near Tahiti in modern-day French Polynesia) who, according to
tradition, followed Kupe's own navigational instructions. Their
culture, essentially Polynesian but developed over centuries of only
limited contact with 'the home lands', was hierarchical and, over time
and under increasing pressure for land, became more warlike and many
tribes were wiped out by processes of conquest and enslavement.
Cannibalism became prevalent at this time, as did the development of pa
(forts) for protection against warring tribes. You can still see the
remains of these forts in various parts of the country.
In
1642, the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman became the first European to sight
the islands as he sailed briefly along the west coast; any thoughts of a
longer stay were thwarted when his attempt to land resulted in several
of his crew being killed and eaten! In 1769,
Captain James Cook circumnavigated the two main islands aboard his famous ship, the
Endeavour.
Botanists and other experts onboard his ship gained considerable
information about the country's flora and fauna, and the
native Maori inhabitants. Initial contact proved violent but Cook,
impressed with the Maoris' bravery and spirit, and recognizing the
potential of this newfound land, grabbed it for the British crown before
setting sail for Australia.
Later on, when the British began
their antipodean colonizing, New Zealand was originally only seen as an
offshoot of Australian enterprises in whaling and sealing. In fact, from
1839 to 1841 the country was under the jurisdiction of New South Wales.
However, increased European settlement soon proved problematic: a
policy was urgently required regarding land deals between the settlers (
pakeha) and the Maori.
New Zealand is often nicknamed "The Shaky Isles" due to the regularity of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
In 1840,
French navy captain Charles Lavaud's plans to claim the land for France, were hurriedly intercepted with the signing of the British-initiated
Treaty of Waitangi.
The Maori ceded governorship of their country to Britain in exchange
for protection and guaranteed possession of their lands. But relations
between the Maori and
pakeha, although harmonious in some
regions, soured in others. Causes were varied and complex, but the most
common feature was disagreement over land. A total of five wars were
sparked off between Maori and colonial forces in the Maori strongholds
of Taranaki, Waikato and the East Coast. Fighting eventually died down
and though there was no formal resolution to any of the skirmishes, the
pakehas certainly claimed victory.
By
the late 19th century the situation had calmed down and the discovery
of gold started to bring much prosperity to the land. This and the
introduction of wide-scale sheep farming meant that New Zealand became
an efficient and mostly self-reliant country. Sweeping social changes
such as women's suffrage, social security, the encouragement of trade
unions and the introduction of childcare services, cemented New
Zealand's reputation as a country committed to egalitarian reform.
New
Zealand was given dominion status in the British Empire in 1907 and
granted autonomy by Britain in 1931; independence, however, was not
formally proclaimed until 1947. Internationally, New Zealand was hailed
during the mid-1980s for its anti-nuclear stance. This included a ban on
nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed vessels from its waters, putting it at
odds with the US, and its opposition to French nuclear testing in the
Pacific. France controversially tried to counter this, to much outrage
but little penalty, by blowing up the Greenpeace vessel
Rainbow Warrior as it sat in
Auckland Harbour.
Today
agriculture and tourism are the economic mainstays and there is also a
growing film industry. The Maori population is now increasing faster
than the
pakeha and resurgence in Maoritanga (Maori culture) has
had a major and lasting impact on New Zealand society. In spite of
concerted efforts towards cultural integration between the Maori and
pakeha,
the New Zealand government's clumsy attempt to offer financial
reparations has resulted in an upsurge of militant Maori protests over
land rights. The issue of reconciliation remains at the top of the
political agenda.
Of New Zealand's population around 4 million, 76% are NZ European (
pakeha) mainly of British descent, 14% are NZ indigenous Maori, 5.5% are Pacific Island Polynesians and about 4.5% are Asian.
Many
Pacific islands are experiencing a rapid population shift from remote
and undeveloped islands to the 'big city'. Auckland is very much the big
city of the South Pacific, with the greatest concentration of
Polynesians on earth. Asian migration is also increasing due to recent
immigration incentives and there are also sizable Indian and East Asian
communities in Auckland.
With only about 14 people per sq km, NZ
is lightly populated by most countries' standards, except perhaps its
bigger, emptier neighbor Australia with just 2.3 people per sq km.
Although it once had a greater population than the North Island, the
South Island is now the place to go for elbow-room - its has barely more
inhabitants than Auckland. In fact, despite its rural base, 70% of New
Zealanders live in urban areas - Auckland alone has 29% of the entire
population.
