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.
June 23rd 2008Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Whanganui National Park Well it's been a bit of a slower couple of months lately so there hasn't been too much to write about besides exams, and noone wants to hear about that; though I think i've finally got enough to fill ... [full story]
January 17th 2008Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Whanganui National Park The journey to this quiet south west National Park only took a few hours from Taranaki. Thick bush and rolling hills dominated the landscape. The scenery was pretty and yet again our campsite was a ... 4 photos[full story]
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