O+HISTORIOGRAPHY

This is a useful starting point Hi Pauline This page will start with the historiography of the wars that becomes part of History at this level. You have been given two books on the **historiography of the wars** - Volume 1 and Volume 2. Essentially there are 4 main players and a few other subsidiary players - although they might not like being referred to in that way! They are:
 * [|\The NZ Wars historiographical overview]]**
 * JAMES COWAN -**
 * KEITH SINCLAIR -**
 * JAMES BELICH -**
 * DANNY KEENAN -**
 * CHRIS PUGSLEY -**

**[|Review of James Cowan's approach]**
==This is found in the NZ Electronic Text Archive. Very interesting because it argues that Cowan preferred oral sources to official sources. He felt that they gave a better feel for the real history. - //Must disagree, Bad Idea to rely only on the memories in person's head, very easy to become what a person wanted to happen, not what actually may have. Andrew Voerman, 2009//. Yes it is suspect as a technique because it is reliant on a memory from a long time ago. It begs the question as to whether it is really a primary source because it is not literally 'at the time the event happened' - rather some 40 or 50 years later. You just need to have played Chinese whispers to realise how suspect messages can be when passed around at the moment! Pipe 2009==

**From Dictionary of New Zealand Biography**
==Cowan's book on the New Zealand Wars does not explore the causes of the wars, and to modern readers it can appear uncritical of the imperial process, but Cowan's comprehensive and sympathetic use of both Maori and Pakeha oral and written sources gives it an enduring value and appeal.==

**KEITH SINCLAIR ( Sir/ Professor)**
===Most history teachers summarising Sinclair's argument say that the causes of the wars were settler pressure for land. He certainly argues that but I believe that is an over-simplification. He goes further than that. Unlike other historians Sinclair had a chance to reply to Belich's challenge to his interpretation in a later book called 'Kinds of Peace' We will save that response until a little later.===
 * [|Landfall Review 1958]**

P2-3
===Sinclair begins in this excerpt with a diagnosis and analysis based upon the NZ Company Settlements (note that only 10000 settlers in NZ Co). Wakefield’s scheme involved transferring a slice of the British class structure into New Zealand. It did not quite work out as he intended but at least there was more opportunity in New Zealand for migrants than in the UK (opportunity came from owning or working land).=== ===Unfortunately, Maori were not keen on parting with land in many cases. Their relationship with the land was deeply meaningful – as a spiritual and as an emotional connection as well as a source of livelihood.===

Yet for the first 15 years of settlement Maori supplied Europeans with food.
===Many of the North Island settlers regarded Maori as an impediment to legitimate progress. Not all held these views. The occurrence of the Maori wars is quite misunderstood unless the settlers predominant outlook is taken into account. The fear of alien communities based on racial prejudice was strong. The feeling was that the only way to govern Maoris was by force.===

Upping the ante in relation to land

 * BELICH**


 * DANNY KEENAN**

From SKC site

**//__ HISTORIOGRAPHY __//** **Sealing and Whaling** **Fatal Impact vs. Acculturation** **The Musket Wars** **Missionaries** **Disease** **Treaty of Waitangi and the Annexation of New Zealand** **Northern Wars** **Taranaki Wars** **Waikato** **Wars** **The New Zealand Wars in General** **The Native Lands and Schools Acts** **Crown Colony Government**
 * ‘the rise and fall of sealing underlined the fact that New Zealand was already caught up in the world economy’ – JMR Owens
 * ‘the Tasman Sea was more bridge than barrier’ – James Belich
 * ‘Maori did not passively receive Europe but actively engaged with it. They chose, adjusted and replaced the new into a less culturally damaging form. They exploited a technologically formidable Europe that thought it was exploiting them’ – Belich
 * No laws, judges or magistrates; so that Satan maintains his domain without molestation – Marsden
 * It is a superior race that has come to share his country. From the day when he confesses this to himself, he feels his greatness is departed – Fox
 * There are accumulating evils of permanent anarchy, depopulation is going on till district after district has become devoid of inhabitants – Busby
 * Fatal impact can be described as initial shock creating dominance and cultural assertion, conversion and finally confusion, social dislocation and cultural breakdown. A series of crises largely by war-weariness and disease destroyed Maori confidence in their own culture and drove them to accept the Pakeha God as the chief source of Pakeha wealth and power – Wright
 * Tribal society was decaying at an accelerating rate as the old social controls brown down with the introduction of new values and standards. By 1840, the Maori were no longer members of their old society nor members of Pakeha society. They were in a transient ambivalent position – Sinclair
 * The impact of Europeans had a transforming effect on Maori society, but this was countered by the stability and continuity of Maori life. The nature of their social structure and controls of Maori kinship groups were equipped to survive stress at the local level. Kin groups were all interlocked and capable of constant change and regrouping. The contact varied in intensity and type; some were in contact with predominantly one group, e.g. bay whalers. The majority lived in areas here the contact was indirect. The more usual process was innovation at a controlled rate – Owens
 * Many changes were taking place within a Maori cultural framework, meaning Maori chose selectively from European culture and adapted it to enrich their own way of life. Conversions were a part of acculturation, as Maori chose Christianity because of their desire for accessibility to Pakeha power. Moari chose certain aspects of Pakeha culture – they made an active decision – Binney
 * The musket wars cannot be used as evidence as there is no objective source regarding them. Therefore, fatal impact lacks supporting evidence – Belich
 * An example of acculturation is the decision of the Ngati Whatua to give Governor Hobson land in Auckland. This can be seen as bowing down to Pakeha pressure, although the real motive of the Ngati Whatua was to use the Pakeha as protection from the Tainui – Belich
 * The acquisition of muskets was not the main factor in the musket wars and ‘the potato wars’ is a more accurate name –Belich
 * The musket wars occurred due to inequities in the balance of power, and ended after the balance was resumed. – Belich
 * The part the musket played in the musket wars was minimal. – JMR Owens
 * Never were so many killed – Belich
 * The pursuit of mana remained all engrossing and trade with Europeans was used as a means to elevate a tribe’s mana, often at the expense of a rival tribe - Belich
 * Harrison Wright argues from a eurocentric point of view. According to him, te Pu and crises like European diseases resulted in Maori confusion and a lack of confidence into heir own power. He sees this, combined with more effective missionary strategies as the impetus for Maori to become Christian. – Harrison Wright
 * Owens also argues from a eurocentric perspective. He emphasises that as missionaries became more independent from their Maori hosts they began to achieve greater success. ‘This success derived from William’s leadership’, and knowledge of Te Reo. Also due to their ability to trade independently, their emphasis on printing in Te Reo, and Maori literacy. As a result, Maori received a ‘cumulative awareness’ of Christianity and the number of conversions grew.
 * Binney argues from the basis of Maori as decision makers. She sees Maori as actively choosing Christianity. Weary of war, many liked the idea presented by the peaceful missionaries. Moreover, in seeking mana through the acquisition of literacy skills from the missionaries, and responded positively to Christianity.
 * Belich emphasises the importance of Maori agency in the increasing number of Maori conversions to Christianity. Up until his death in 1825, Hongi Hika had dominated
 * “More money was spent on missions; better trained men of stronger character had arrived, more emphasis was being placed on preaching and teaching; knowledge of Maori language had grown; and from 1827 onwards translations of the Bible, Prayer Book and hymns had been made. Realisation that their language could be conveyed in printed form created much excitement amongst the Maori” – Oxford on rising conversions
 * They are my Pakeha – Te Raupraha
 * Fatal impact thinking exaggerated the spread of disease – Belich
 * Missionaries and other observers reported massive death rates and plummeting birth rates. The general pattern from the 1790s – 1890s does appear to show a disease induced population – however how great was it? – Belich
 * The view that Maori were a dying race persisted until 1930, a generation after census evidence showed conclusively that Maori were on the increase – Belich
 * The Maori population was immunologically virgin – Pool
 * Countries in Europe suffered – and recovered from – severe epidemics and no one has suggested fatal impact to explain these death rates – Belich
 * The word ‘kawanatanga’ implied authority in an abstract but not concrete way. Maori thought they were sharing power, but that most authority would remain with Maori – Orange
 * ‘A monarch who reigns but does not rule’ – Belich on the Maori interpretation of kawanatanga
 * ‘Only the Shadow of the land passes to the Queen, the substance stays with us’ – Chief Nopera
 * The use of the word ‘possession’ instead of ‘rangatiratanga’ in the Maori version of the Treaty was deliberate to get Maori to sign – Orange
 * ‘An act of deception’ – Walker
 * Maori thought they would be sharing power, but most authority would remain with Maori – Belich
 * We are one people now – Hobson
 * What I wish you to do is expressly for your own good, as you will soon see by the Treaty. You yourselves have often asked the King of England to extend his protection unto you. Her Majesty now offers you that protection – Hobson
 * We are the governor – we, the chiefs of the land of our ancestors. I will not say yes to the Governor’s remaining – Rewa of Ngapuhi
 * Had you spoken like that when the traders and grog sellers came – had you turned them away – then you could well say to the governor ‘Go back!’... but now, as things are, no... Governor!... you must preserve our customs and never permit our land to be taken from us – Tamati Waka Nene
 * If the native chiefs do not know the contents of this Treaty it is no fault of mine. I wish them to fully understand. I have done all that I could do to make them understand – Hobson
 * When he British Government first thought about a British colony it was for a Maori New Zealand in which settlers would somehow be accommodated. By 1840 the plan had changed to a settler New Zealand in which Maori would have a special ‘protected’ position. By this time annexation of New Zealand had become a necessity – for Maori a fatal necessity – Adams
 * The arrival of Busby’s report in Britain in 1837 was crucial. His failure was a crucial step because it meant that further formal action would be needed – Adams
 * Another crucial factor was the unstoppable tide of immigration – Orange
 * There were three significant groups in annexation; missionaries, who wanted annexation but not colonists, colonists, who wanted security and stability but not government interference, and capitalists, who saw annexation as a double-edges sword. All three had to operate through a nerve centre dig their fingers onto key pressure points. One of these was the fear of France and De Thierry – however, there had been scares before. What was more important was the Myths of Empire – Belich
 * New Zealand was portrayed as a chaotic place that was full of vice. The Myths of Empire dictated that they should succeed. Maori had to be taught who ‘wore the trousers’ in the race relationship and sovereignty would teach them. Busby was especially wounded and humiliated – Belich
 * The colonial office was predisposed to accept Myths of Empire. The accepted fatal impact, despite the fact that according to observers in Kororakea it was no worse than any other sea town – Belich
 * On his seven visits to New Zealand between 1814 and 1839, Marsden consistently promoted the belief that the Crown had a parental interest in protecting the Maori people... Maori came to expect a personal relationship with the Crown representative and developed unrealistic expectations of continuing special treatment
 * Britain had no intention of sharing power or abiding by the high-sounding Treaty principles – Walker
 * Britain needed to be //seen// to be doing the right thing in its treating with Maori, but always had its own motives foremost – Ward
 * Concerns about lawlessness in New Zealand were the primary motive form British intervention – Adams
 * The French threat was the major reason for both the British and the Maori to sign the Treaty of Waitangi - Tremewen
 * There were substantive implications as well as symbolic. If the British couldn’t protect the flagstaff of their largest settlement, what could they protect? – Belich on the cutting of the flagstaff at Kororakea
 * ‘The infant colony was shaken to its foundations- it was a result of precise Maori planning’ – Belich on the sacking of Kororakea
 * Ruapekapeka ended in a ‘tactical draw’- Belich
 * The British claim that Waireka was a victory was overrated and false – Belich
 * Maori efforts were limited by their inability to have a comprehensive and co-ordinated strategy – Sinclair
 * Maori had a clear effective strategy of purpose-built abandoned Pas – Belich
 * Racism was a factor. The British felt as their race was ‘superior’ British authority should not exist side by side with Maori authority. Evidence of this is the desire of the British to impose British administration, law and civilisation upon Maori – Ward
 * The Great South Road was like a giant sword pointing at the heart of the King Movement – Belich
 * The King Movement was battered and weakened, but still intact
 * War was inevitable between Maori and Pakeha because they were in competition for land – Wright
 * Maori as a culture and race were bound to disappear as a result of contact with Pakeha, through assimilation – Sinclair
 * Maori refusal to acknowledge absolute Pakeha sovereignty and to give up their land to the superior settlers made them rebels who had to be crushed – Marsden
 * The sinister influence of financiers and speculators with regards to Maori lands was the main cause of the Wars – Oliver and Miller
 * The Wars were about Turangawaewae of the land – Ward
 * The Pakeha won most of the fighting over the primitive, though brave, savages, thanks to their superior forces and technology – Sinclair
 * Pakeha also won the war because they got most of the spoils i.e. the land – Wright
 * Pakeha victory asserted sovereignty and rule of law – Wright
 * After the wars Maori withdrew into sullen isolation – Sinclair
 * Maori won the majority of the actual fighting in the wars of the 1860s – Belich
 * The Maori forces were much better organised than has been admitted – Belich
 * The leadership and strategies of the Maori were much more capable than Victorian attitudes could ever allow - Belich
 * Maori were energetic in seeking to re-establish their lives and society after loss of life and economic destruction during the wars – Ward
 * Land was an important factor in the Wars, but not the most important factor – Belich
 * The issue of British sovereignty was the main reason for the wars fought by imperial troops. Pakeha wanted dominance and Maori wanted independence in their own areas – Belich
 * A move from nominal sovereignty to substantive sovereignty was the primary issue of the wars – Belich
 * With substantive sovereignty everything else the Pakeha wanted would follow – authority, domination, administration, government, control and land, though in fact legislation did more to achieve this – Ward
 * Land was the principal issue of the wars – Keenan
 * The land represented the basic aspects of Maoritanga, such as validity of descent, mana, traditions, history, independence, spirituality and identity. If the land was lost so too were these things – Keenan
 * Maori were competing for land and what it held for them well before Pakeha arrived in New Zealand – Walker
 * Colonisation and land sales added further problems to an existing complex situation of rival Maori assertions of mana whenua based on whakapapa – Keenan
 * Fighting the British Army and involvement in the Native Land Courts, were just the final phases in a long process of defence of mana whenua – Walker
 * Maori were always at a disadvantage because they had no professional warrior class. Their economy was self-sufficient with little surplus, therefore warriors could only be part time – Belich
 * The Maori concept of winning a battle is very different to the British concept – e.g. at Ruapekapeka the Maori thought they had won because they survived virtually unharmed, whilst the British felt they had won because they took the Pa – Belich
 * The wars should be described as the Land Wars because settler land hunger was the main factor – Oliver
 * It was settler pressure for land and King Movement opposition that resulted in the New Zealand Wars, along with an attitude of racial superiority – Sinclair
 * This is not true because there was no shortage of land for settlers, and Imperial troops were used who had no interest in the wars; it was a result of Myths of Empire – Belich
 * The desire of the British imposing administration, law and civilisation on the Maori was a key to the wars – Ward
 * Maori and Pakeha were divided into separate zones – despite the fact that Maori population was decreasing and Pakeha population was increasing, in reality the map of New Zealand was unchanging – Northcott and Ofter
 * The New Zealand Wars were a war over land. This is shown by the fact that when Grey issued his proclamation, it was for Maori to give up //land ­// - Pugsley
 * The most serious attack on the vitality of Maori – Orange
 * Instead of education being embraced as a process of growth and development, it became an arena of cultural conflict – Orange
 * The governors were impotent autocrats – Basset