After charting the coastline, European surveying and exploration of the interior were a fundamental part of the settlement process, defining the boundaries of ownership, and identifying resources, useable land and access routes.
This graph charts the immigrants from all countries who came to New Zealand from 1840 to 1914. This includes those who migrated from places such as Germany, Italy, Scandinavia, and most significantly Australia.
By the later 1830s the British government grew concerned about how land was obtained from Maori. Action was needed, it decided, to protect the interests of Maori from the worst ravages of European impact.
Politician Francis Bell staunchly supported the Waitara purchase in 1860, which led to the Taranaki
war. In 1862 he became Minister of Native Affairs. His administration
has been described as 'not particularly efficient or vigorous',
although he did support the 1862 forerunner of the Native Land Court
