Factors that I believe led to the Waikato- Tainui Settlements are Kingitanga- the King movement, Land wars and the 1863 Land Settlemement Act. * Kingitanga- The King movement:
Tribes that were led by Waikato- Tainui longed for a Maori King to protect their lands and also their people. In 1858 Potatau Wherowhero became the first Maori king. He and his son Tawhiao made sure that they were clear that they were not eager to prevent or put an end to disagreeing to Pakeha settlement or to the Crown’s sovereignty over the Crowns terrain. The government thought this was a direct dispute to the British authority and attacked Waikato. There were also other conflicts between the government and the Maori, and land was seized with authority from a number of North Island tribes. * Land wars:
The New Zealand land war and confiscation of land in the mid 1860’s caused serious social, cultural and economic harm to Waikato-Tainui. Today, you will still find haunting remnants, crime and social deprivation data. The war was aimed to remove the Maori Kingitanga Movement, which rejected to agree to colonial authority and also obtaining farming and inhabited land for English settlers. The war involved about 4000 Maori warriors and 18,00 English troops and over the track of the Waikato and Taranaki battle seized the lives of atleast 1800 Maori and 800 Europeans.
New Zealand’s Parliament took notice of how the raid of the Waikato war was in 1863 and described it as:
“Unfair and entirely groundless... Waikato- Tainui was not being rebellion but was actually protecting their heritage and land... The taking of their land as a penalty caused wreck and devastation... The people of Waikato- Tainui were scattered and caused an extensive distress, agony and misery... The home and land of their ancestors had been seized with the stroke of a pen.”
To the left: A memorial in the Auckland War Memorial Museum for both European and Maori who died in the New Zealand Wars. “Kia mate toa” translation is “fight unto death” or “be strong in death” which is now the motto of the Otago and Southland Regiment of the NZ Army. The flags are the Gate Pā and the Union flag. * 1863 Land Settlement Act:
The Waikato war offered the chance to gain Maori land for European settlers. In 1863 the New Zealand Settlement Act approved land to be taken from any North Island tribe said to be ‘rebellion against Her Majesty’s authority’, but it was intended as more than a punishment. The confiscated land would be sold to pay for the cost of the war. As well, military settlers would be receiving segments of land as a reward for their service.
Maori tribes were notified by public statements that Maori:
“Must face their wrong doing and know that they must surrender the ownership of their property assured to them by the Treaty of Waitangi, which lands will be now owned by inhabitants that are competent of defending for the future.” 2. Provide an account of how