Post by Kiwi Frontline on Jul 11, 2023 5:28:01 GMT 12
John Robinson: THE TREATY OF WAITANGI, 1840 AND 2023
The signing of the Treaty of Waitangi on 1840 marked the beginning of the formation of the modern nation of New Zealand. Prior to that, these islands were home to Polynesians, now known as Maori, living in many separated tribes with a primitive culture.
In Maori society loyalty was to the tribe, and, in the absence of any central overall authority, conflict resolution was by armed might, by fighting – with widespread killing, cannibalism and slavery. The coming of muskets, and the growing familiarity with other parts of the country (due to travel on British vessels and in long-distance war-parties) resulted in an explosion of war, and the Maori population declined by close to one-half in the first forty years of the nineteenth century.
Many Maori, including some of the most savage warriors, came to recognise that their society was in free-fall. Their visits to Australia and (a few) to England, together with the examples and teaching of missionaries, showed an example of a better way to live together, in peace under a rule of law.
From 1830, and in the years around 1840, an extraordinary cultural transformation was under way – as shown by increasing numbers joining Christian congregations and turning away from the old culture, tikanga, together with efforts of chiefs and missionaries to bring peace to areas (such as the Tamaki isthmus) that had become deserted during the wars.[1]......
breakingviewsnz.blogspot.com/2023/07/john-robinson-treaty-of-waitangi-1840.html
The signing of the Treaty of Waitangi on 1840 marked the beginning of the formation of the modern nation of New Zealand. Prior to that, these islands were home to Polynesians, now known as Maori, living in many separated tribes with a primitive culture.
In Maori society loyalty was to the tribe, and, in the absence of any central overall authority, conflict resolution was by armed might, by fighting – with widespread killing, cannibalism and slavery. The coming of muskets, and the growing familiarity with other parts of the country (due to travel on British vessels and in long-distance war-parties) resulted in an explosion of war, and the Maori population declined by close to one-half in the first forty years of the nineteenth century.
Many Maori, including some of the most savage warriors, came to recognise that their society was in free-fall. Their visits to Australia and (a few) to England, together with the examples and teaching of missionaries, showed an example of a better way to live together, in peace under a rule of law.
From 1830, and in the years around 1840, an extraordinary cultural transformation was under way – as shown by increasing numbers joining Christian congregations and turning away from the old culture, tikanga, together with efforts of chiefs and missionaries to bring peace to areas (such as the Tamaki isthmus) that had become deserted during the wars.[1]......
breakingviewsnz.blogspot.com/2023/07/john-robinson-treaty-of-waitangi-1840.html