The Treaty of Waitangi and Settlement of New Zealand
MAST104
Te Tiriti O Waitangi
Assignment 1
05/04/2013
Robyn Fairmaid
1077831
Discuss the society European settlers arriving in Aotearoa- New Zealand wanted to create and the place of Maori and the Treaty of Waitangi within it.
The settlement of New Zealand as an independent nation was driven by politics and culture with very Eurocentric values. Christianity, trade and policy established the British society in New Zealand. The Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti O Waitangi) sought to give Maori people the same rights as the British settlers, and also protection against potential enemies. However the accommodation of the indigenous Maori people into the British society was controversial in many ways. This essay will discuss the society that European settlers wanted to create in Aotearoa and following this will draw on how Maori and the Treaty fell into the British society within New Zealand.
In the mid nineteenth century, Britain was one of the most powerful and superior nations in the world. British civilization was seen to be crucial for the advancement of knowledge and development of humanity (Williams, 1989). British values were thought to be the dominant paradigm (Williams, 1989). Through the colonization of New Zealand, a British-like society was desired and Eurocentric values were endorsed in the British colonization of countries around the world. From a Eurocentric perspective, New Zealand was part of the uncivilized world until it established a British society with common English law (Adams, 1977). Politics motivated the actions of these nations. At this time, Christianity and the drive to build civilization were two of the leading components the establishment of society in New Zealand (Adams, 1977). The terrible social conditions that existed in Britain during the early nineteenth century, spurred a humanitarian movement in which New Zealand would hold work and opportunities for the unemployed and those seeking a better life (Sinclair, 1981). As
Te Tiriti O Waitangi
Assignment 1
05/04/2013
Robyn Fairmaid
1077831
Discuss the society European settlers arriving in Aotearoa- New Zealand wanted to create and the place of Maori and the Treaty of Waitangi within it.
The settlement of New Zealand as an independent nation was driven by politics and culture with very Eurocentric values. Christianity, trade and policy established the British society in New Zealand. The Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti O Waitangi) sought to give Maori people the same rights as the British settlers, and also protection against potential enemies. However the accommodation of the indigenous Maori people into the British society was controversial in many ways. This essay will discuss the society that European settlers wanted to create in Aotearoa and following this will draw on how Maori and the Treaty fell into the British society within New Zealand.
In the mid nineteenth century, Britain was one of the most powerful and superior nations in the world. British civilization was seen to be crucial for the advancement of knowledge and development of humanity (Williams, 1989). British values were thought to be the dominant paradigm (Williams, 1989). Through the colonization of New Zealand, a British-like society was desired and Eurocentric values were endorsed in the British colonization of countries around the world. From a Eurocentric perspective, New Zealand was part of the uncivilized world until it established a British society with common English law (Adams, 1977). Politics motivated the actions of these nations. At this time, Christianity and the drive to build civilization were two of the leading components the establishment of society in New Zealand (Adams, 1977). The terrible social conditions that existed in Britain during the early nineteenth century, spurred a humanitarian movement in which New Zealand would hold work and opportunities for the unemployed and those seeking a better life (Sinclair, 1981). As