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Africa Guides

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Asia Guides

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Caribbean Guides

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Central America

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Europe Guides

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Middle East Guides

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North America

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Pacific Guides

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South America

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Over 80 million years ago, the land mass of Rangitata Land separated from the continent of Gondwana and slowly developed into what we now call New Zealand. It is believed that the Polynesians first discovered and began setting roots in New Zealand around 950 - 1130 AD. Around the same time, the Maori people started a settlement on Chatham Islands.

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From around 1790, traders and missionaries began to arrive in New Zealand and established dwellings. During this time, there were constant wars between the Maori tribes who had so far used only spears and clubs to fight each other. It was the start of a terrible period in New Zealand history called the Musket Wars, where the main rival tribes, Ngapuhi and Ngati Whatua literally slaughtered each other.

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When he returned to New Zealand, Hongi immediately began to attack rival tribes including the Ngati Whatua. He continued attacking tribes all along the east coast and right into the centre of North Island causing the death and destruction of many men, women, children and villages.

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During this time, the British heard rumours that the French were planning to colonise the South Island and they quickly managed to secure agreements with the Maori chiefs and the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in February 1840.

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