Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
like to come here. Realising that NZ has a great culture and an intriguing history, as well
as a great natural environment, will double the bang for your buck.
TIMELINE
AD 1000-1200
Possible date of the arrival of Maori in NZ. Solid archaeological evidence points to about AD 1200,
but much earlier dates have been suggested for the first human impact on the environment.
1642
First European contact: Abel Tasman arrives on an expedition from the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia)
to find the 'Great South Land'. His party leaves without landing, after a sea skirmish with Maori.
1769
European contact recommences with visits by James Cook and Jean de Surville. Despite some viol-
ence, both manage to communicate with Maori. This time NZ's link with the outside world proves
permanent.
1772
Marion du Fresne's French expedition arrives; it stays for some weeks at the Bay of Islands. Rela-
tions with Maori start well, but a breach of Maori
tapu
(sacred law) leads to violence.
1790s
Whaling ships and sealing gangs arrive in the country. Relations are established with Maori, with
Europeans depending on the contact for essentials such as food, water and protection.
1818-36
Intertribal Maori 'Musket Wars' take place: tribes acquire muskets and win bloody victories against
tribes without them. The war tapers of in 1836, probably due to the equal distribution of weapons.
1837
Possums are introduced to New Zealand from Australia. Brilliant.
1840
Starting at Waitangi in the Bay of Islands on 6 February, around 500 chiefs countrywide sign the
Treaty of Waitangi to 'settle' sovereignty once and for all. NZ becomes a nominal British colony.
