Lecture 3 - Annexation Of Aotearoa

Question 1

How did Britain annex (seize) NZ?

Answer 1

Messy process that included many levels of intervention. There was ostensible authority (imagined control) and actual authority which came later on.

Question 2

Why are we interested in this?

Answer 2

We need to understand the background of the constitution arrangements and legal system to create a more contextual understanding of the social/historical/political factors that led to the annexation. This enables us to understand in depth the role of law and therefore illuminates conflicting understandings and expectations of colonial powers and Maori Rangatira.

Question 3

3 Scales

Answer 3

Ostensible authority scale (imagined control)

Intervention scale (how power was exerted by Britain in NZ)

Actual Control Scale (highlights how much power Britain actually had in NZ)

Question 4

Ostensible Authority Scale

Answer 4

Scale of imagines control.

1800’s - very few British settlers/traders/whalers more Maori
1769 - Captain Cook frost discovered NZ.
1833 - President Busby was sent as a lesson figure, no position of authority-wasn’t able to establish any rules or new laws.
1835 - British disclaimed sovereignty over NZ by recognising Maori as a sovereign people (could be negotiable around laws)

Question 5

Intervention Scale

Answer 5

Shows how much resource Britain was putting into NZ.

1837-1839 - intervention scale began, Britain did not want to deal with Maori and wanted to focus on settlers/traders/whalers.
1840 - Suddenly things shifted and the Treaty of Waitangi (TOW) was signed and Britain claimed full sovereignty over NZ.

Question 6

Why Did Britain annex NZ?

Answer 6

Push and pull factors that lead to colonisation.
Other factors like trade..
Budgetary Constraints; the Colonial Office and come governed.

Question 7

Push Factors

Answer 7

• Industrial Revolution effects were starting to take its toll on major cities.
• High levels of unemployment
• Overcrowding
• Poverty
• Pollution and ill health in cities.

Question 8

Pull Factors

Answer 8

• Missionaries - influential group in NZ and Pacific . - - Keep French away, control whalers/traders.
• Mission to civilise natives.
• Colonial Supporters - wanted new colonials.
• The New Zealand Company
• Traders/Merchants/Capitalist- NZ traders, Sydney Merchants and London Capitalists.

Question 9

Triggers

Answer 9

There were rumours within the Maori community of a perceived threat from the French.

• Anglo-French Rivalry
• Myths of Empire

Question 10

Triggers - Anglo-French Rivalry

Answer 10

This was the idea that from the 1830’s Britain had been warned of French intent to claim NZ for themselves, as they wanted to colonise/settle first.

Question 11

Triggers - Myths of Empire

Answer 11

The Myths of Empire was an ideology (set of beliefs) that defined how the British identified themselves against the rest of the world.