New Zealand

By 20JPutnam
  • 1300

    Early Settlement of New Zealand

    The start of the continuous Polynesian settlement. These people, and subsequent arrivals, were the ancestors of present-day Māori.

  • Abel Janszoon Tasman

    Dutch explorer, discovers part of the western littoral of New Zealand and names his discovery "Staten Landt".

  • James Cook

    Makes his first visit to New Zealand. He claims parts of the country in the name of King George III.

  • More Travelers Visit

    Deep sea whaling, sealing, flax and timber trades commence.
    The Māori suffer the first serious introduced epidemic.

  • Women

    First European women arrive in New Zealand.

  • King

    Thomas Holloway King becomes the first pakeha (European) child born in New Zealand.

  • England

    Ngapuhi chief Hongi Hika visits England, meets with King George IV, and is able to obtain muskets on the return trip.

  • War

    Hongi Hika and Te Morenga commence Musket Wars against southern tribes.

  • Mapping

    Dumont d'Urville leads his own expedition and charts large sections of New Zealand's coastline in detail for the first time. Te Rauparaha commences his invasion of the South Island, from Kapiti Coast.

  • Flag

    Around 25 northern Māori chiefs adopt the United Tribes flag, on Busby's initiative.