Written for the Romance of Empire series, this is less a formal history than a string of dramatic episodes: Tasman’s brief, violent visit, Cook’s voyages, the missionary Samuel Marsden, the musket wars of Hongi Hika and Hone Heke’s felling of the flagstaff at Kororareka. Its view of Maori and of empire is that of an Edwardian imperialist.
A colourful popular account of early New Zealand, best read with its period outlook in mind. Download the free EPUB.