Background: The Polynesian Maori reached New Zealand in about A.D. 800. In 1840, their chieftains entered into a compact with Britain, the Treaty of Waitangi, in which they ceded sovereignty to Queen Victoria while retaining territorial rights. In that same year, the British began the first organized colonial settlement. A series of land wars between 1843 and 1872 ended with the defeat of the native peoples. The British colony of New Zealand became an independent dominion in 1907 and supported the UK militarily in both World Wars. New Zealand's full participation in a number of defense alliances lapsed by the 1980s. In recent years, the government has sought to address longstanding Maori grievances.
March 2nd 2008Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Paraparaumu Well, at pretty much the last minute, we decided to go to New Zealand. Its been a hard time over the last 6 months and thought that a really nice break would be good for us! My Dad had been planning ... 23 photos[full story]
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