The Wars Essay Plan

The Essay May 2008

Decisions	Situations
Q 12 A Maori Movement chose to express their dissatisfaction at breaches of the Treaty Q 13 .. to appoint Te Whereowhero as the first Maori King.	Q 9 Maori alienation from their land and its contribution to conflict Q 11 Maori sovereignty and its contribution to conflict

All four of these questions have some similarities they can all be answered by referring to Kingitanga and the land issue. The same basic information, with some fiddling will answer all 4 questions….

Decisions ask WHY the decision was made and the CONSEQUENCES of that decision.

Situations ask you to DESCRIBE the situation and how it CHANGED over time.

PLAN:for Q 12

1. A Maori Movement means the Kingitanga
2. Breaches of the treaty Articles 2 and 3
• Guaranteed lands…
• Rights as British Citizens
3. The Reasons for deciding to establish the Kingitanga
• Loss of land
• Loss of mana
4. Some actions that resulted:
• Unification of 2/3 of North Ilsand Tribes
• Challenge to Britain
• Governors Power
• Settler Government
• Loss of Cash-flow
• Support for Kingi at Waitara
5. Consequences of the Decision
• Gore-Browne and Teira and Kingi – who has the right to sell?
• Taranaki Campaign – Gold and Pratt – “Maori intimidation, Pakeha Frustration”
• Arrival of Grey and Cameron – preparation for War
• Invasion of the Waikato – Meremere to Orakau
• Confiscation of land

Possible Intro

In the 1850’s a movement emerged amongst Maori to help preserve their land and culture while also protesting against breaches in the Treaty. The second article guaranteed Maori ‘undisturbed possession’ of their land while the third assured them their rights as British subjects. In the 1850’s Maori chose to present a united front to the Governor and Settler Governments by establishing the Kingitanga under Potatau. This challenge to British Authority would inevitably lead to conflict in the Taranaki and the Waikato and despite Maori resistance the eventual confiscation of 3m acres of land.

Remember to avoid the NARRATIVE TRAP. While some detail is required don’t get carried away with telling me WHAT happened I’m more interested in WHY it happened and its CONSEQUENCES.

Paragraph 1

In the 1850’s settler pressure created an ever increasing demand for land. This land could only be obtained from Maori. Donald McLean the Governments Land Purchase Officer was required to fulfil this demand and exploited Maori disunity in order to find the land required.

Might mention some of the purchases especially the Heretaunga Block in the Hawke Bay

Paragraph 2

Land vacated or conquered during the Musket Wars was the most easily obtained. Disenfranchised Iwi chose to sell land they had fled, while land newly occupied land might be sold to further the insult of defeat.

Mention areas like Waitara and the Te Atiawa as an example.

Paragraph 3

As more and more land was lost, Maori began to become concerned at the loss of Mana and birthright that disappeared with the land. In response Maori who had travelled overseas saw the need for a unified political and economic Maori entity. Using the Queen as their example they believed this entity could be a Maori King. The Kingitanga movement was an attempt to right perceived breaches in the Treaty of Waitangi that concerned them.

Mention the people involved in the early part Tewhiwhi and Te Rauapraha

Paragraph 4 and 5

Article two guaranteed Maori undisturbed possession of their lands but many felt they were being placed under to much pressure to sell land to the Government. They also realised their weakness lay in the conflicting views held by different Iwi over the ownership or rights each had to particular pieces of land. A unified front presented by a King would stop this weakness form being exploited.

Article three also gave Maori the rights of British citizens. Many felt their right to control their land was being ignored by a settler Government more intent on satisfying Settler demands than in protecting Maori. When the 1852 Constitution was established and a Settler Government created it had excluded Maori from representation. A King would potentially give them a voice in Government.