the penguin history of new zealand by michael king

Of course, this book is by no means an economic history.

One personal bias is that this book does not provide the same level of insight into the economy of New Zealand, as compared to the political, cultural and social developments. Another example is the early decision to abandon provincial government and become a unitary state - again, this is shown to have far-reaching consequences for the relative cohesion politically which led to the wide-ranging reforms in the 1890s. Small, seemingly insignificant details, such as the involvement of the Church Missionary Society in the translation of the Treaty, are shown to have impacts reverberating to the present day. Alongside this, it weaves a rich tapestry of Maori language and custom into the historical narrative.Īnother strength is the meticulous way it has been researched. Finally, it describes the enduring re-interpretation of the Treaty in the modern era, and how it still affects each party’s perceptions of each other. It then explains the effect of the Treaty on influencing the relationship - primarily in terms of the confiscation of land and subsequent compensation. It describes in detail the various interactions Maori had with Pakeha before the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi and how they were in some ways, mutually dependent on one another. One key strength of this book is the way it charts race relations between Maori and Pakeha. Overall, it is a well-written, well-structured work of general history. Its comprehensive nature also explains the length of the book - a somewhat exhausting read at 501 pages. It is also detailed - it explains each major event and links it to its implications, both for the people living at that time, and also for New Zealanders today.

It is broad - covering prehistoric ecology, the founding of the nation, the major political reforms of the 1890s and the cultural and social changes to both Maori and Pakeha throughout the ages.

This book is a general, contemporary history of New Zealand. This is a book review of Penguin History of New Zealand by Michael King, published by Penguin Books, 2003. Book review of Penguin History of New Zealand

The penguin history of new zealand by michael king