In the period before 1840 there were a number of high-profile incidents involving violence between Maori and Pakeha that contributed to a sense that New Zealand was a violent and dangerous place. This perception has been challenged by some historians who argued that these events were newsworthy because they were exceptional events. There were many more interactions between the races that were conducted peacefully if for no other reason than it made sense from a business perspective.
Using the feature Frontier of chaos? and your own knowledge and ideas, complete the following activities.
1. Investigation into the Boyd incident
Imagine you are a representative of the Governor of New South Wales investigating the demise of the Boyd and most of its crew at Whangaroa, 1809. A year has passed since the attack. You have visited the area. You have also interviewed a number of survivors, including Thom Davis and Ann Morley as well as some of the crew from the City of Edinburgh who had taken part in reprisals against those they held responsible for this incident. With the help of an interpreter you have spoken to local Maori who were involved in the attack on the Boyd and subsequent actions.
In your report you have been asked to:
- Outline the course of events for the governor, i.e., what happened.
- Describe the role that you believe traditional Maori practices and beliefs played in the events at Whangaroa.
- Outline what, if any, action should be taken against those Europeans involved in the reprisals against Maori in relation to the Boyd incident.
- Recommend what action should be taken by the government of New South Wales about this incident. Be prepared to justify your recommendations. The governor is keen to avoid a repetition of such events, so your recommendations should consider this.
2. What were the main consequences of the Boyd incident as far as European contact with New Zealand was concerned?
3. In a paragraph, of six to eight sentences, outline how the actions of Captain Stewart contributed to James Busby's analysis that New Zealand was an example of 'extreme frontier chaos'.
4. On what basis could British authorities justify taking the 'it's not our problem/responsibility' line with regards to the actions of men like Captain Stewart? Explain your answer.
5. In a couple of paragraphs, of between six and eight lines, outline whether or not you agree with the assertion that violence between Maori and Pakeha attracted great attention because it was the exception and not the rule. To what extent were events like those outlined in this feature 'exaggerated and misinterpreted'?
