Travel through time as we explore Aotearoa New Zealand's story and the story of Chinese New Zealanders
Timeline
1250
First Polynesian Settlers
Aotearoa's first permanent settlements established between 1250 and 1300.
Image: courtesy of Rozel Pharazyn
1250
First Polynesian Settlers
Aotearoa's first permanent settlements established between 1250 and 1300.
Image: courtesy of Rozel Pharazyn
1250
First Polynesian Settlers
Aotearoa's first permanent settlements established between 1250 and 1300.
Image: courtesy of Rozel Pharazyn
First Europeans arrive
Abel Tasman and his men have their first confirmed encounters with Māori.
1642
First Europeans arrive
Abel Tasman and his men have their first confirmed encounters with Māori.
1642
First Europeans arrive
Abel Tasman and his men have their first confirmed encounters with Māori.
James Cook arrives on the Endeavour
From this point, Māori and Europeans come into greater contact.
1769
James Cook arrives on the Endeavour
From this point, Māori and Europeans come into greater contact.
1769
James Cook arrives on the Endeavour
From this point, Māori and Europeans come into greater contact.
1835
He Whakaputanga, Declaration of Independence
Northern chiefs assert their sovereignty over New Zealand in He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tirene: the Declaration of Independence of the United Tribes of New Zealand.
1835
He Whakaputanga, Declaration of Independence
Northern chiefs assert their sovereignty over New Zealand in He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tirene: the Declaration of Independence of the United Tribes of New Zealand.
1835
He Whakaputanga, Declaration of Independence
Northern chiefs assert their sovereignty over New Zealand in He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tirene: the Declaration of Independence of the United Tribes of New Zealand.
1840
Te Tiriti o Waitangi, The Treaty of Waitangi
Aotearoa New Zealand's founding document was a treaty in Māori and English, between the British Crown and about 540 Māori rangatira (chiefs).
1840
Te Tiriti o Waitangi, The Treaty of Waitangi
Aotearoa New Zealand's founding document was a treaty in Māori and English, between the British Crown and about 540 Māori rangatira (chiefs).
1840
Te Tiriti o Waitangi, The Treaty of Waitangi
Aotearoa New Zealand's founding document was a treaty in Māori and English, between the British Crown and about 540 Māori rangatira (chiefs).
Britain bombards Canton
In 1839 the British waged war in China in support of British opium smugglers and to address Britain's trade imbalance with China. The First Opium War reflects Britain's imperial expansion.
Image: Canton from the Heights, 29 May 1841. National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London.
1841
Britain bombards Canton
In 1839 the British waged war in China in support of British opium smugglers and to address Britain's trade imbalance with China. The First Opium War reflects Britain's imperial expansion.
Image: Canton from the Heights, 29 May 1841. National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London.
1841
Britain bombards Canton
In 1839 the British waged war in China in support of British opium smugglers and to address Britain's trade imbalance with China. The First Opium War reflects Britain's imperial expansion.
Image: Canton from the Heights, 29 May 1841. National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London.
The New Zealand Wars
British and colonial forces fight to open up the North Island for settlement.
Image: Attack on Ōtuihu 1845, Alexander Turnbull Library, reference: A-079-032, Watercolour by John Williams
1840s-1870s
The New Zealand Wars
British and colonial forces fight to open up the North Island for settlement.
Image: Attack on Ōtuihu 1845, Alexander Turnbull Library, reference: A-079-032, Watercolour by John Williams
1840s-1870s
The New Zealand Wars
British and colonial forces fight to open up the North Island for settlement.
Image: Attack on Ōtuihu 1845, Alexander Turnbull Library, reference: A-079-032, Watercolour by John Williams
1842–1881
Early Settlers
Aotearoa was still a Māori world when the first Chinese settler arrived in 1842. By the time of the goldrush less than 20 years later, there were more Pākehā than Māori. It was into this world that the first big group of Chinese migrants arrived.
1842
Early Settlers
Aotearoa was still a Māori world when the first Chinese settler arrived in 1842. By the time of the goldrush less than 20 years later, there were more Pākehā than Māori. It was into this world that the first big group of Chinese migrants arrived.
1842
Early Settlers
Aotearoa was still a Māori world when the first Chinese settler arrived in 1842. By the time of the goldrush less than 20 years later, there were more Pākehā than Māori. It was into this world that the first big group of Chinese migrants arrived.
Constitution Act
Britain devolves most internal political authority to New Zealand's settler government.
1852
Constitution Act
Britain devolves most internal political authority to New Zealand's settler government.
1852
Constitution Act
Britain devolves most internal political authority to New Zealand's settler government.
Land confiscation law
The New Zealand Settlements Act enabled the confiscation (raupatu) of land from Māori "rebels". Others lost land as the yardstick shifted from presumed guilt to convenience.
1863
Land confiscation law
The New Zealand Settlements Act enabled the confiscation (raupatu) of land from Māori "rebels". Others lost land as the yardstick shifted from presumed guilt to convenience.
1863
Land confiscation law
The New Zealand Settlements Act enabled the confiscation (raupatu) of land from Māori "rebels". Others lost land as the yardstick shifted from presumed guilt to convenience.
Chinese goldminers arrive in Otago
Chinese miners from the goldfields of Victoria, Australia arrive in Otago.
Image: The first known image of Chinese miners in Aotearoa. Evening Star: Ref: 1/4-009945-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, /records/23225948
1865
Chinese goldminers arrive in Otago
Chinese miners from the goldfields of Victoria, Australia arrive in Otago.
Image: The first known image of Chinese miners in Aotearoa. Evening Star: Ref: 1/4-009945-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, /records/23225948
1865
Chinese goldminers arrive in Otago
Chinese miners from the goldfields of Victoria, Australia arrive in Otago.
Image: The first known image of Chinese miners in Aotearoa. Evening Star: Ref: 1/4-009945-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, /records/23225948
Nation building
Julius Vogel builds New Zealand's rail network and more than doubles its European population through large-scale subsidised immigration.
Image: F Class steam locomotive NZR 248 "McCallum Mhor", Ref: APG-0276-1/2-G. Alexander Turnbull Library. /records/23054395
1870-1880
Nation building
Julius Vogel builds New Zealand's rail network and more than doubles its European population through large-scale subsidised immigration.
Image: F Class steam locomotive NZR 248 "McCallum Mhor", Ref: APG-0276-1/2-G. Alexander Turnbull Library. /records/23054395
1870-1880
Nation building
Julius Vogel builds New Zealand's rail network and more than doubles its European population through large-scale subsidised immigration.
Image: F Class steam locomotive NZR 248 "McCallum Mhor", Ref: APG-0276-1/2-G. Alexander Turnbull Library. /records/23054395
1881–1935
Strength & Stuggle
In 1881 New Zealand passed its first anti-Chinese law. Since 1840 there had been rapid colonisation: the Government taking control of land, increasing numbers of British settlers and creating national infrastructure. It was firmly in control and ready to build the ideal New Zealand. It was in this context that a new anti-Chinese movement was born.
Image: The Young Saye family of Greymouth 1913, courtesy of History House, Greymouth.
NB: This marks the end of the content released in this limited beta test. Come back next year for more!
1881
Strength & Stuggle
In 1881 New Zealand passed its first anti-Chinese law. Since 1840 there had been rapid colonisation: the Government taking control of land, increasing numbers of British settlers and creating national infrastructure. It was firmly in control and ready to build the ideal New Zealand. It was in this context that a new anti-Chinese movement was born.
Image: The Young Saye family of Greymouth 1913, courtesy of History House, Greymouth.
NB: This marks the end of the content released in this limited beta test. Come back next year for more!
1881
Strength & Stuggle
In 1881 New Zealand passed its first anti-Chinese law. Since 1840 there had been rapid colonisation: the Government taking control of land, increasing numbers of British settlers and creating national infrastructure. It was firmly in control and ready to build the ideal New Zealand. It was in this context that a new anti-Chinese movement was born.
Image: The Young Saye family of Greymouth 1913, courtesy of History House, Greymouth.
NB: This marks the end of the content released in this limited beta test. Come back next year for more!
1842–1881
Early Settlers
Aotearoa was still a Māori world when the first Chinese settler arrived in 1842. By the time of the goldrush less than 20 years later, there were more Pākehā than Māori. It was into this world that the first big group of Chinese migrants arrived.
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat.
1842–1881
Early Settlers
Aotearoa was still a Māori world when the first Chinese settler arrived in 1842. By the time of the goldrush less than 20 years later, there were more Pākehā than Māori. It was into this world that the first big group of Chinese migrants arrived.