Maori Engagement in the Economy, 1840s - 50s Flashcards
What role did Maori play in the early European settlements of New Zealand?
Maori played a crucial role in the early European settlements of New Zealand by supplying essential foodstuffs, including potatoes, kumara, wheat, maize, pigs, fish, and fruit. They were the primary providers of these goods, which were essential for the survival of European settlers in places like Auckland, New Plymouth, Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson, and Dunedin.
How did Maori contribute to the economy of Auckland in the 1850s?
Maori were described as the “life blood” of the Auckland settlement’s economy. They played a significant role in sustaining Auckland’s business during the 1850s by engaging in trade, and their contributions were vital to the city’s economic survival.
What economic activities were Maori engaged in during the 1850s and beyond?
Maori were involved in various economic activities, including the transport business, gold mining, farming, the flax and timber trade, whaling, and providing services such as guiding and river ferries. They actively participated in the economy and diversification of trade in New Zealand.
How did Maori communities invest in economic activities like milling?
Maori communities invested in economic activities like milling, particularly in the construction of flour mills. These investments often resulted from inter-hapu cooperation rather than rivalry. However, building mills was costly, and many hapu went into debt to construct them, relying on future income to pay off these debts.
What impact did Maori economic success have on early settlers and their view of Maori?
Maori economic success, particularly their dominance in trade, created unease among some early settlers. Some settlers were jealous of Maori economic dominance, and it is suggested that this jealousy played a role in the conflicts and wars of the 1860s.
When did a specifically ‘Māori economy’ re-emerge as a significant part of the wider New Zealand economy?
A specifically ‘Māori economy’ began to re-emerge as a significant part of the wider New Zealand economy since Treaty settlements began in the 1990s. These settlements marked a turning point in recognizing and compensating for the historical injustices against Maori.
What was the approximate value of iwi settlements by the first decades of the 21st century?
By the first decades of the 21st century, approximately 60 iwi had signed settlements with the government, and collectively, they were worth about $6 billion. Economic forecasts suggested that the Māori economy would continue to grow.
What did former Prime Minister Jim Bolger say about the relationship between Māori economic success and the rest of New Zealand?
Former Prime Minister Jim Bolger stated that there were those who were fearful that if Māori did well economically, the rest of New Zealand would do poorly. However, he emphasized that this was a mistaken belief, and the success of Māori in the economy was beneficial for the country as a whole.
Who were the key drivers of trade in early European settlements in New Zealand?
Maori
What was the value of Maori trade with Auckland in 1854?
Over £16,000
How did Maori typically work in economic activities like gold mining?
They worked collectively, with both men and women participating.
Why did many hapu go into debt to build flour mills in the 1850s?
They relied on future income to pay off the expensive mill construction costs.
What was the outcome of the “mid-Victorian slump” of the mid-1850s for Maori?
It showed that capitalism could be risky, and Maori faced economic challenges during this period.
What role did Maori play in the transport business in the 19th century?
They delivered their produce to the market using various means, including horses and carts, canoes, small coastal boats, and larger schooners.
What was the attitude of some early settlers toward Maori economic success in the 1860s?
Some early settlers were jealous of Maori economic dominance, which contributed to conflicts and wars.
