New Zealand 1871 CE

What is happening in New Zealand in 1871CE

The modern history of New Zealand began with the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, which established New Zealand as a British colony. By the terms of this treaty, between the British government and the Maori chiefs, the Maoris have ceded sovereignty to Britain in return for protection of their land rights and the right to manage their own affairs. The first organized British settlement was established the same year.

With dreary inevitably, there occured clashes over land between settlers and Maori, and warfare has continued throughout the 1860’s and into the early 70’s. At times, almost the whole of North Island has been engulfed in conflict.

More positively, these years have seen the opening up of the (largely uninhabited) South Island, especially to sheep and wheat farmers. For a time, the South Island town of Dunedin is the largest settlement in New Zealand.