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| History of New Zealand |
The History of New Zealand is one of the major facilitator of tourism in New Zealand. Home to a number of places that depict the historical background of New Zealand, every year a record number of tourists flock to the country. The earliest human settlers in New Zealand history were Eastern Polynesians who probably came down in a series of migrations between 800 AD and 1300 AD. These settlers gradually gained importance in the history of New Zealand and developed into a distinct culture which is now known as Maori.
These natives of New Zealand were later divided into a number of hapu or sub-tribes which would co-operate, compete and sometimes at odds with each other. Eventually, a group of Maori settlers migrated to the Chatham Islands where they developed their own distinct Moriori culture, an inseparable part of the history of New Zealand. A major development in the chronology of New Zealand came with the arrival of the first European explorer like the Dutch explorer Abel Janszoon Tasman and his crew in 1642. It was one of the most tragic European voyages as no Europeans survived the fight with the natives. The first successful voyage was that of British explorer James Cook during 1768-71. This voyage ushered in European and North American traders.
During the early part of 19th century, the Christian missionaries began to settle New Zealand. Eventually most of the Maori population was converted into Christianity. With the Treaty of Waitangi, signed in the Bay of Islands on 6 February 1840, came one of the most important advancement in the history of New Zealand. It depicted the lawless nature of the European settlement and the increasing interest of the French and the British government in the territory. Since then, a large number of European settlers came down to New Zealand.
Several wars are an integral part of the history of New Zealand. Being an enthusiastic member of the British Empire, New Zealand took part in he Boer War, World War I and World War II. New Zealand also supported Britain in the Suez Crisis. The inhabitants of the country badly suffered during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Following the World War II, New Zealand prospered manifold. Great economic and social changes took place in the 1980s with the influence of"Rogernomics." Under the 4th Labour government, led by Finance Minister Roger Douglas, New Zealand gained new heights.
Authentic online information on History of New Zealand is offered only at travel.mapsofworld.
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