New Zealand Before it was Colonized: A Collection of Observations made in regard to the Maori

The vast Pacific Ocean is dotted with tiny numerous islands inhabited by people who are not like anyone in the “known world.” When the so-called “Age of Exploration” began Europeans decided to explore the rest of the world, and the studies of ethnology, philology and anthropology in general, became of great importance to them. They began to take a great interest in studying and documenting the history of people, the relation between them, who they are and what they do. They began mapping the world, studying everything, hoping to find new lands to colonize and convert to Christianity. Many of these individuals, of course, had sinister intentions, ulterior motives, but they did manage to preserve some of that which would have otherwise been lost to time.

Here, has been compiled, numerous observations made by various Europeans of various backgrounds, explorers, colonizers, missionaries, in regard to the Māori. The information compiled here gives a historic insight to how Europe and Europeans viewed these people, their history, culture, what they thought about them, how they interacted with them.

The Māori, a people known for their intricate and comprehensive facial tattoos, their popular war-dance, and unique clothing and behaviour that is a consequence of their island isolation, have all now basically been wiped out. Those who are around now, are a shell of their former selves. They were once the dominant people of New Zealand, the indigenous people of New Zealand, and are relatively well-known to the world when compared to other Oceanic peoples. But their history and culture has been preserved here.

"New Zealand Before it was Colonized" is a must-read for anyone interested in the history and culture of Oceania and its people. With its wealth of information and unique perspective, this book offers a rare glimpse into the Māori and their place in the world.