The first Sojourners

Sealers began to arrive from Sydney in 1792. Traders and Merchants (like Simeon Lord) in the new colony saw the potential of the NZ coast to supply a lucrative trade in skins. Little consideration was given to the Natives of this coastline. Former convicts desperate to escape their miserable existence in Sydney cove were prepared to chance their arms. It was a precarious existence and one which was filled with the possibility of being marooned amongst, and eaten by heathen savages. By 1812 it was all but over, with the New Zealand Fur Seal almost extinct.

What was their impact on Maori? Not surprisingly it could be said to be relatively little. They exploited areas well away from the main Maori settlements even those of the Ngai Tahu. They had little to trade and often preferred to avoid contact with the cannibals who might choose to eat the seemingly worthless pakeha.

Some did become Pakeha-Maori integrating into their Maori hosts culture, accepted wives, tatooeing and cannibalism in some cases. James Caddell is an example of this.

However is some areas this was the reverse. In Southland and parts of Otago sealers did settle moving on from the sojourner to the settler - Johnny Jones being the best example.

The trade in muskets that occurred here would protect these Hapu from Te Rauaparaha in the 1830's.