Maori > Maori - History

The Maori warrior in New Zealand first came to prominence during the land wars of the 19th Century. During these conflicts, they were known as fierce opponents, as well as courageous allies. Subsequently, and especially based on the Treaty of Waitangi, the Maori felt that they owed special allegiance to the Queen, to the ... read more

Museum collections are a treasure trove of objects, each with the capacity to tell a compelling story or stories. Many objects in Te Manawa's collection speak of a deep curiosity for the world 'out there and beyond', while others evoke an intense sense of belonging to the Manawatu. Significant insight about both local communi... read more

The Meeting Place is an examination of relationships between Maori and Pakeha focusing predominantly on the period between 1814 and 1840 when, author Vincent O'Malley argues, both peoples lived / inhabited a 'middle ground' - in the historian's Richard White's phrase - in which neither could dictate the political, economic or... read more

Here leading scholars from the fields of law, history, Maori studies and politics provide a comprehensive account of the settlement process. The contributors examine the history of Treaty claims and the impact of Treaty settlements. The major settlements are considered, and their impact on the management and ownership of key ... read more

Natanahira Waruwarutu was a child at the time of the capture of Kaiapoi Pa by Te Rauparaha's Ngati Toa warriors in 1832. The early years of his life, recounted here in the original Maori text and an accompanying translation, saw great change in the Maori communities of Waitaha (Canterbury) and Akaora. Otako leaders set asid... read more

For the first time the world of the tohunga, which has lain carefully concealed for centuries, is brought out into the open. Kereopa's knowledge of the traditional Maori world, and his thoughtful perspectives on subject matters ranging from natural healing to modern life, offer an insight into the realm of a great tohunga.

Breaks new ground in telling the fascinating story of the Maori Battalion's war, with the focus firmly on C Company whose members were drawn from Tairawhiti, a region on the east coast of the North Island. Personal recollections and eyewitness accounts, many anecdotes and hundreds of photographs are woven through this history... read more

In this remarkable sequel to his ground-breaking Tohunga: Hohepa Kereopa (2003), historian Dr Paul Moon again travels deep into Tuhoe territory - and deep into its past - to uncover a wealth of material. This time he reveals his discussions with Hohepa Kereopa on traditional plants, cultivation, gardening, foods, medicines, a... read more

Parihaka has become a byword for Maori refusal to yield land, culture and dignity to New Zealand's colonial government. Well after the end of the New Zealand Wars, the people of this small settlement at the foot of Mt Taranaki held out against the encroachments of Pakeha settlers in a struggle that swapped the weapons of war ... read more

This is a groundbreaking book which explores the incidence and effects of catastrophic events - tsunamis, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions - on Maori coastal communities in the pre- European period. It focuses in particular on a cluster of tsunamis in the late 1400s which had devastating effects from Northland to Otago on p... read more

Arranged alphabetically for easy reference, the text summarises all important elements, influences and features of pre-European Maori life.

'So they went forth, and they were given over to death by the guns.' - Rangipito, of Ngati Rahiri. In the two decades before the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand was ripped asunder by island-spanning waves of warfare, extreme violence and cannibalism. Great war parties surged the length of the land to avenge historic grie... read more

This book traces Maori engagement with handwriting from 1769 to 1826. Through beautifully reproduced written documents, it describes the first encounters Maori had with paper and writing and the first relationships between Maori and Europeans in the earliest school. The book tells an image-led story about the earliest re... read more

The first paperback edition of this classic A.W. Reed title remains true to the original vision - to create a highly accessible reference to the traditional life and customs of Maori. Taonga Tuku Iho translates to 'treasures from the past that have been handed down to us'. This superb resource of information about early Maori... read more

This comprehensive history of Aotearoa New Zealand written entirely from Maori viewpoints using Maori customary structures takes a fresh look at what Maori history is and how it is different from that formerly portrayed. As a postcolonial history, it provides a range of fresh views on events in the past. Written by sixteen Ma... read more

From one of the leading Maori scholars of his generation and one of our greatest photographers comes this beautifully illustrated work that serves as a fine overview of leadership and challenges for Maori today. After a general introduction to Maori history, Te Ara focuses on the stories of iwi in five regions - Hokianga, Peo... read more

This book examines encounters between the Christian church and Māori. Christian faith among Māori changed from the missionary endeavours of Pākehā settlers, to the development of indigenous expressions of Christian faith, to partnerships between Māori and Pākehā in the mainline churches, and the emergence of Destiny Church. T... read more

Pounamu, or jade, is one of New Zealand's most treasured natural resources, celebrated for its rich beauty and significance to the Maori people. Pounamu Treasures: Ng? Taonga Pounamu is a simple and stylish collection of object photographs that honours the stone in its many forms. Respected pounamu specialists Russell Beck an... read more

The Maori warrior in New Zealand first came to prominence during the land wars of the 19th Century. During these conflicts, they were known as fierce opponents, as well as courageous allies. Subsequently, and especially based on the Treaty of Waitangi, the Maori felt that they owed special allegiance to the Queen, to the exte... read more

Ngāpō and Pīmia Wehi, affectionately known as Bub and Nen, have achieved what no other partnership has accomplished in a lifetime of kapa haka - Māori performing arts. With over a century of combined experience in Māori song and dance, leading teams and teaching, they are recognised as New Zealand’s foremost leaders in ... read more