Extending Sovereignty: Land Purchases, 1840s-60s Flashcards
What was a key objective of Governor Grey when he arrived in 1845?
To purchase land for the influx of settlers he expected would occur subsequent to New Zealand becoming a British colony.
How was Governor Grey able to pursue his objective?
With more funding than his predecessors.
What did the Colonial Office instruct Grey to do?
Take possession of “waste land”
What would the Maori do if Grey implemented the Colonial Office policy?
“wage deadly warfare with all white people”
What better idea did Grey suggest?
To buy the Maori land for a small amount, a much smarter way of achieving the same goals without the expense and consequence of a war Grey knew he couldn’t win.
How did Grey remove a likely obstacle in his way?
He abolished the Protectorate of Aborigines, established by Hobson, as it was mostly staffed by the sons of missionaries who were suspicious of settler aims.
Who did Grey appoint as his Land Purchase agent?
Donald Mclean
How did Donald Mclean achieve his objective of acquiring as much land as Maori would part with him?
He encouraged, persuaded, pressured, cut corners and sometimes even tricked the Maori.
How much land was bought in the “kemp purchase” of 1848?
20 million acres (a little under 1/3 of New Zealand)
How much land was bought in the “Murihiku purchase”?
most of what is now Southland
By the time Stewart Island was bought in 1864, how much land did the Crown acquire and for how much?
34.5 million acres from Ngai Tahu for £14,750
How much land was Ngai Tahu left with?
35,757 acres, 0.1% of the land they had once possessed
By 1865, how much land did the Crown purchase?
All but 1% of the South Island.
What were signs that the new owners were taking control of the land?
Appearances of fences and draining of swamps.
What per cent of Ngai Tahu people had insufficient quality land to support themselves?
46% had insufficient quality land and 44% had no land at all.
