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Period: Jan 1, 1000 to
Maori History
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May 31, 1000
Kupe Discovers New Zealand
Kupe, the Māori explorer, discovered New Zealand while on a fishing expedition. Kupe’s friend had an octopus for a pet. The octopus kept eating all of the bait off Kupe’s fishing hooks. Kupe became angry and decided to kill the octopus. Kupe chased the octopus around the pacific before following him South. He chased him past the North Island and caught him between the North Island and the South Island, in the Cook Strait. He went back to Hawaiiki and told of the land he had found. -
May 31, 1300
Maori Waka Arrive
Maori Waka arrived in Aotearoa from Hawaiiki. Horouta, Ngaitokimatawhaorua and Mamari arrived first. Maori Waka:
Horouta
Ngāitokimatawhaorua
Māmari Aotea
Tainui
Takitimu
Te Arawa
Kurahaupo
Mātaatua
Tokomaru -
Abel Tasman arrives
Abel Tasman, a Dutch explorer, discovered New Zealand in 1642. He arrived on the ship called the Heemskerk. Tasman had intended to proceed in a northerly direction but as the wind was unfavourable he steered east. On 13 December they sighted land on the north-west coast of the South Island, New Zealand, becoming the first Europeans to do so. Abel Tasman -
Captain James Cook
Captain James Cook, an explorer, discovered New Zealand during his 1768-1771 expedition. Cook reached New Zealand in 1769 and mapped almost the entire coastline. The Cook Strait and Mount Cook (Aorangi/Aoraki) were named after James Cook. James Cook's Exploration Map -
Musket Wars
The Musket Wars took place between 1820-1835. They werea series of 500 or more wars fought between various iwi. The conflicts were directly influenced by the acquisition of muskets by Māori. Northern tribes, such as the rivals Ngapuhi and Ngāti Whātua, were the first to obtain firearms and inflicted heavy casualties upon each other and on neighbouring tribes. The wars were characterised by their brutality and ruthlessness. More Info -
Treaty of Waitangi
The Treaty of Waitangi. The Treaty of Waitangi was signed 6th February, 1840, between Maori Iwi and the Crown. It guaranteed that individual Māori iwi (tribes) should have undisturbed possession of their lands, forests, fisheries and other taonga (treasures) in return for becoming British subjects. There were four main articles: Protection, Participation, Partnership and Prayer. -
Maori Land Wars 1845 - 1872
In 1845, the Maori land wars began. The wars were fought over Māori land being sold to the settler population. New settlers did not appreciate that Māori owned their land communally and that permission to settle on land did not always imply sale of that land. The colonial government ignored the Treaty, and sold Maori land. This eventually led to war. More information
