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800
The Maori
Probably the waves of migrations came from eastern Polynesia to New Zealand between 800 and 1300. -
The Dutch: The First European
The first European to arrive in New Zealand was the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman. -
The British
A surprisingly long time passed before New Zealand was visited by another European, Captain James Cook. -
The French
By the 1830s, the British government was being pressured to curb lawlessness in the country and also to pre-empt the French who were considering New Zealand as a potential colony. -
Treaty of Waitangi
An agreement between the British Crown and Maori. It established British law in New Zealand and is considered New Zealand’s founding document and an important part of the country's history. -
The New Zealand Wars
Māori came under increasing pressure from European settlers to sell their land for settlement. This led to conflict and, in the 1860s, war broke out in the North Island. -
Gold
Was discovered in Otago -
The Government Helps The British
the government helped thousands of British people start a new life in New Zealand. Railways were built and towns sprang up or expanded. -
The First Export
The first shipment of frozen meat from New Zealand made it successfully to England. Exporting meat, butter and cheese (chilled) became possible and New Zealand became a key supplier for Britain. -
Rights For Women And Workers
New Zealand became the first country in the world to grant all women the right to vote.
State pensions and state housing for workers were also offered first in New Zealand. -
South African War
They were proudly loyal to the British Empire and sent troops to fight for Britain in the South African War. -
They Didn't Want To Join Australia
They declined the chance to join the Australian Federation. -
The Independence
New Zealand became an independent "dominion". -
World War I and ANZAC
Thousands of New Zealanders served, and died, overseas in the First World War.
The landing at Gallipoli in Turkey is regarded as a coming of age for our country. It established the tradition of ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) and a pride in New Zealand’s military achievement and its special relationship with Australia. -
The Commonwealth
A free association of sovereign states comprising the United Kingdom and a number of its former dependencies who have chosen to maintain ties of friendship and practical cooperation and who acknowledge the British monarch as symbolic head of their association. -
World War II
New Zealand troops fought overseas again in the Second World War in support of the UK. -
Korean And Vietnam Wars
Keeping on side with America encouraged New Zealand to fight in Korea in the 1950s and - against much popular opposition - in Vietnam in the 1960s. -
Trade
When Britain joined the European Economic Community, New Zealand had already begun diversifying its export trade. -
Culture
Culturally, they have also become more diverse. Particularly from the 1980s, a wide range of ethnic groups have been encouraged to settle here and New Zealand is now much more multicultural.