Population and Settlement
Let’s go way back in time. For 80 million years, the country that is known as New Zealand today was completely isolated. The island of New Zealand is the way it is today because of the separation from the supercontinent of Gondwana, and the land that was separated was called the Rangitata land mass (Philips, 21012). Around 60 million years ago the separating ceased and the Tasman Sea was between Australia and New Zealand (Philips, 21012). The two main islands of New Zealand began to take shape around five million years ago (Philips, 2012). New Zealand’s landscape consisted of mainly rainforest seven thousand years ago (Philips, 2012). There were many different species of animals roaming the island, including many different species of birds (Philips, 2012).
Although it is not exactly known, it is believed that the first settlers in New Zealand were early Polynesians called Maori arriving between 950 and 1130 AD (Philips, 2012). Traditions states that they arrived in canoes called “The Great Fleet,” the first Polynesian settlers of the island (Philips, 2012). The Maori had many skills, including woodworking, which was made useful to their new homeland. Early on, the Maori also started to build their own crops, hunted birds and seals, and had their own unique systems of food storage and preparation. Early settlers lived in what is known as “Kainga,” a small undefended settlement; eventually Maori lived in fortified villages known as “Pa," (Philips, 2012). The Maori settled along the coastal regions of the island for easy access to food (and for trade, but not until later on).
During the middle of the 1600s, the first European settlers came to New Zealand in hopes to discover a rich Southern Supercontinent that was yet to be taken advantage of (Philips, 2012). After the Europeans discovered New Zealand, the British, the Americans, and the French all took notice in New Zealand as well (there was early conflict with the new combers) (Phillips, 2012). Before annexation, much trading took place all over the New Zealand coast. Trading including whaling and sealing; the skins were then used and traded (Philips, 2012). Tensions between the natives came up sometimes due to the trading practices of the Europeans. Without law and order, New Zealand started to degrade, becoming a country with many problems and conflicts, which continued for some time.
By the early 1840s, the British wanted to put New Zealand under British rule, which meant that there would be British sovereignty over all the island, but the Maori still had their land and fishing rights, and would have all the same rights as the British (Phillips, 2012). The achievement of this agreement is known as the Treaty of Waitangi. This treaty would protect the Maori and the current 2,000 settlers that were recognized in the country. Around 1852 there were 28,000 non-natives living in New Zealand (Phillips, 2012). New Zealand was now becoming more populated and was starting to see growth and progress through much trial and error.
From the 1850s and on, New Zealand continues to grow with trade, law, population, and even war (WWl-early 1900s and WWll-1940s). Through the years, New Zealand’s population is constantly changing just as much as the rest of the country, housing many immigrants of all ethnicities. Immigration is one of the biggest factors in New Zealand’s history and it continues to grow. Immigrants within the overall population by 2001, was at the highest since the year 1936 (Anonymous, 2013). Five years later the number of people born somewhere other than New Zealand was up to 879,543 which was 22.9% of the population (Anonymous, 2013)!
References: Phillips, J. (2012, July 13). The colonisation of new zealand. Retrieved from http://www.history-nz.org/colonisation2.html
Anonymous. (2013, Febuary 02). New zealand in history. Retrieved from http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/history-of-immigration/page-1
Although it is not exactly known, it is believed that the first settlers in New Zealand were early Polynesians called Maori arriving between 950 and 1130 AD (Philips, 2012). Traditions states that they arrived in canoes called “The Great Fleet,” the first Polynesian settlers of the island (Philips, 2012). The Maori had many skills, including woodworking, which was made useful to their new homeland. Early on, the Maori also started to build their own crops, hunted birds and seals, and had their own unique systems of food storage and preparation. Early settlers lived in what is known as “Kainga,” a small undefended settlement; eventually Maori lived in fortified villages known as “Pa," (Philips, 2012). The Maori settled along the coastal regions of the island for easy access to food (and for trade, but not until later on).
During the middle of the 1600s, the first European settlers came to New Zealand in hopes to discover a rich Southern Supercontinent that was yet to be taken advantage of (Philips, 2012). After the Europeans discovered New Zealand, the British, the Americans, and the French all took notice in New Zealand as well (there was early conflict with the new combers) (Phillips, 2012). Before annexation, much trading took place all over the New Zealand coast. Trading including whaling and sealing; the skins were then used and traded (Philips, 2012). Tensions between the natives came up sometimes due to the trading practices of the Europeans. Without law and order, New Zealand started to degrade, becoming a country with many problems and conflicts, which continued for some time.
By the early 1840s, the British wanted to put New Zealand under British rule, which meant that there would be British sovereignty over all the island, but the Maori still had their land and fishing rights, and would have all the same rights as the British (Phillips, 2012). The achievement of this agreement is known as the Treaty of Waitangi. This treaty would protect the Maori and the current 2,000 settlers that were recognized in the country. Around 1852 there were 28,000 non-natives living in New Zealand (Phillips, 2012). New Zealand was now becoming more populated and was starting to see growth and progress through much trial and error.
From the 1850s and on, New Zealand continues to grow with trade, law, population, and even war (WWl-early 1900s and WWll-1940s). Through the years, New Zealand’s population is constantly changing just as much as the rest of the country, housing many immigrants of all ethnicities. Immigration is one of the biggest factors in New Zealand’s history and it continues to grow. Immigrants within the overall population by 2001, was at the highest since the year 1936 (Anonymous, 2013). Five years later the number of people born somewhere other than New Zealand was up to 879,543 which was 22.9% of the population (Anonymous, 2013)!
References: Phillips, J. (2012, July 13). The colonisation of new zealand. Retrieved from http://www.history-nz.org/colonisation2.html
Anonymous. (2013, Febuary 02). New zealand in history. Retrieved from http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/history-of-immigration/page-1
The map shows the population of people of the island of New Zealand per square mile and per square kilometer. This relates to population and settlement because it shows the population of people in New Zealand and where the most and least people live in 2002 (Bonder, 2009).
This map of New Zealand shows all of New Zealand including all the important cities and places. This map relates to population and settlement because these are the place that people can populate and live in New Zealand (Bonder, 2009).
This map is important to population and settlement because it shows the population of the Maori (first people to inhabit New Zealand) by urban area in 2001 (Bonder, 2009).
Reference: Bonder, I. (2009, April 30). Maps page on new zealand. Retrieved from http://maps.unomaha.edu/peterson/funda/MapLinks/New_Zealand.htm
Other Resources to find information on the history and settlement of New Zealand
http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/culture/explorers/polynesian-explorers
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107834.html
http://www.newzealand.com/us/feature/early-settlement/
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107834.html
http://www.newzealand.com/us/feature/early-settlement/
Summary
New Zealand has come a long way from when it first became its own island. This country is home to many people from all over the world but the true natives to New Zealand are the Maori. Since the very beginning, New Zealand is an important country for many reasons, especially trade. Trade has been a big part of life in New Zealand. It has gone through many changes, developing into the beautiful country it is today.
Settlement of New Zealand on Dipity.
This population pyramid shows that there is the greatest population of people between the ages of 19-44 in New Zealand in the year 1950 (De Wulf, 2011).
This population pyramid shows the greatest population of people are between the ages of 45-49 in the year 2010 (De Wulf, 2011)
References for all sources on this page:
Information: Phillips, J. (2012, July 13). The colonisation of new zealand. Retrieved from http://www.history-nz.org/colonisation2.html
Anonymous. (2013, Febuary 02). New zealand in history. Retrieved from http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/history-of-immigration/page-1
Maps: Bonder, I. (2009, April 30). Maps page on new zealand. Retrieved from http://maps.unomaha.edu/peterson/funda/MapLinks/New_Zealand.htm
De Wulf, M. (2011). Population pyramid. Retrieved from http://populationpyramid.net/New Zealand/1950/
De Wulf, M. (2011). Population pyramid. Retrieved from http://populationpyramid.net/New Zealand/2010/
Picture at top of page: Anonymous. (2011). New zealand- glaciers and subtropical rainforests. Retrieved from http://www.touristmaker.com/countries/new-zealand.html
Information: Phillips, J. (2012, July 13). The colonisation of new zealand. Retrieved from http://www.history-nz.org/colonisation2.html
Anonymous. (2013, Febuary 02). New zealand in history. Retrieved from http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/history-of-immigration/page-1
Maps: Bonder, I. (2009, April 30). Maps page on new zealand. Retrieved from http://maps.unomaha.edu/peterson/funda/MapLinks/New_Zealand.htm
De Wulf, M. (2011). Population pyramid. Retrieved from http://populationpyramid.net/New Zealand/1950/
De Wulf, M. (2011). Population pyramid. Retrieved from http://populationpyramid.net/New Zealand/2010/
Picture at top of page: Anonymous. (2011). New zealand- glaciers and subtropical rainforests. Retrieved from http://www.touristmaker.com/countries/new-zealand.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_New_Zealand