Post by Kiwi Frontline on Aug 24, 2017 7:42:01 GMT 12
NZ HISTORY REVISED 3. MAORI POPULATION RECOVERY AFTER 1840
Colonisation the reason for Maori population decline?
The Maori population declined considerably during the first period of colonisation: by one third between the first census count in 1847 and the end of the century.
The claim has been made that, because they were at the same time, the decline must have been a consequence of that colonisation, and that many wrongs were done that must now be apologised for, and atoned for.
That simplistic argument does not tell of the cause of that decline, of when and why it began. There is no explanation of just how those “wrongs” may have had such a significant impact on population.
Population decline 1840s to 1880s
An analysis must start with the available data. The graph below displays census measurements, making use of revised data provided by Nancy Pearce in a 1952 Victoria University MA thesis.
I have read that thesis carefully and agree with her adjustments. I have also considered, and rejected, further adjustments suggested by demographer Ian Pool in his 1991 book, Te iwi Maori. They are unclear and unjustified.
I do not include the very low and inaccurate 1896 census figure of 39,854. This was revisited by Statistics New Zealand and the 1945 table of census counts includes an estimate of 42,113 for that year.
The rate of decline was greatest at the beginning of the period, and the decline had ended by the mid 1880s, not much more than 40 years after the Treaty of Waitangi.
Shortage of women and girls
The cause of that decline is found in the early census data, which showed a considerable shortage of young people, a lack of women (the breeding stock) and a shortage of girls to provide the mothers of the future.
Without enough women there could not be sufficient births, and without enough girls there would be a further shortage of women when that cohort came of age.
The key to population dynamics through the next generation was already determined, and the decline was guaranteed.......
Continue reading Dr John Robinson’s # 3 series published in the ‘Kapiti Independent’ here > kapitiindependentnews.net.nz/new-zealand-history/
Colonisation the reason for Maori population decline?
The Maori population declined considerably during the first period of colonisation: by one third between the first census count in 1847 and the end of the century.
The claim has been made that, because they were at the same time, the decline must have been a consequence of that colonisation, and that many wrongs were done that must now be apologised for, and atoned for.
That simplistic argument does not tell of the cause of that decline, of when and why it began. There is no explanation of just how those “wrongs” may have had such a significant impact on population.
Population decline 1840s to 1880s
An analysis must start with the available data. The graph below displays census measurements, making use of revised data provided by Nancy Pearce in a 1952 Victoria University MA thesis.
I have read that thesis carefully and agree with her adjustments. I have also considered, and rejected, further adjustments suggested by demographer Ian Pool in his 1991 book, Te iwi Maori. They are unclear and unjustified.
I do not include the very low and inaccurate 1896 census figure of 39,854. This was revisited by Statistics New Zealand and the 1945 table of census counts includes an estimate of 42,113 for that year.
The rate of decline was greatest at the beginning of the period, and the decline had ended by the mid 1880s, not much more than 40 years after the Treaty of Waitangi.
Shortage of women and girls
The cause of that decline is found in the early census data, which showed a considerable shortage of young people, a lack of women (the breeding stock) and a shortage of girls to provide the mothers of the future.
Without enough women there could not be sufficient births, and without enough girls there would be a further shortage of women when that cohort came of age.
The key to population dynamics through the next generation was already determined, and the decline was guaranteed.......
Continue reading Dr John Robinson’s # 3 series published in the ‘Kapiti Independent’ here > kapitiindependentnews.net.nz/new-zealand-history/