1200

Polynesian arrival

The first settlers to New Zealand were ancestors of Māori. They arrived around 1200-1300, navigating the Pacific using the ocean currents, winds and stars.

1600

Contact with European explorers

Contact with European explorers began with Abel Tasman's discovery of New Zealand in 1642 approximately 400 years after Polynesian explorers first arrived.

1760

First Industrial Revolution begins

The industrial revolution saw the transition from hand production methods to mechanised systems and technological innovations. This created world markets for agricultural products, expanding the agriculture industry in New Zealand

1810

Musket Wars begin

The series of inter-tribal wars commonly known as the Musket Wars reframed the tribal landscape across Te Ika a Māui, Te Wai Pounamu and the Chatham Islands.

1835

He Whakaputanga

The Declaration of Independence asserted that sovereign power and authority resided with Te Whakaminenga, the Confederation of United Tribes, and that no foreigners could make laws.

1839

Arrival of New Zealand Company representatives

The New Zealand Company sought to purchase vast amounts of land for the systematic colonisation of Aotearoa.

1840

Te Tiriti of Waitangi signed

The document was signed by the British Crown and some Māori rangatira. It is a statement of principles outlining the political contract between the Crown and Māori to establish a government in New Zealand. Its interpretation, and legal status, has been the source of significant discussion. 

Protectorate Department established

Established with the purpose of protecting the rights of Māori guaranteed under the Treaty of Waitangi. It is the ancestor department of Te Puni Kōkiri. 

The New Zealand Wars begin

Crown carries out large scale purchases and confiscation (NZ Settlements Act 1853) of Māori land, and title individualisation (Native Lands Act 1865). Significant reduction land occupied and controlled by Māori by 1920, with 8% of land remaining in Māori ownership.

1846

Abolishment of Corn Laws (International)

The British government’s abolition of the Corn Laws in 1846 symbolises Britain’s move towards free trade, expanding New Zealand’s trading market.

1847

Education Ordinance

The Education Ordinance outlined the principles for the education of youth in New Zealand, including that “instruction in the English language shall form a necessary part of the system.

1852

New Zealand Constitution Act 

This Act set up representative Government in New Zealand and allowed men over 21 years old, who owned or leased a certain amount of land, to vote. A small number of Māori men were eligible to vote under this Act.

1858

Kingitanga movement

The Kingitanga movement emerged in 1858 to unite Māori under a single sovereign and as a response to an increase in European settlers, political marginalisation and growing demand by the Crown for land.

1861 

Native Department established

The Native Department is another ancestor department of Te Puni Kōkiri, initially focusing on land settlement and health.

1863

New Zealand Settlements Act and Suppression of Rebellion Act

These pieces of legislation enabled mass land confiscations from iwi across the country.

1864

Public Works Act 

The  Act 1864 provided that Māori land could be taken for public works such as roads, and later, railways and airports.

1865

The Native Land Court established

The Native Land Court enabled the transfer of communally-owned land into individual title, making it easier for Pākehā to purchase Māori land.

1867

Māori Representation Act and Native Schools Act

The MRA set up four Māori electorates, in which all Māori men over the age of 21 could vote. The small number of Māori who owned individual freehold land could vote in the European electorates. 

The NSA set up a system of native schools, with instruction given in the english language in an effort to assimilate Māori into Pākehā society

1870

Second Industrial Revolution begins

The revolution brought innovations in electricity, steel production and petroleum, leading to the development of public transport and airplanes

Kotahitanga movement begins

The Kotahitanga movements were a series of initiatives to unify Māori through religion, political power, protest or social issues.

1877

Education Act 

The Education Act established compulsory education for Pākehā children. Primary school education remained optional for Māori children until 1894.

Wi Parata – “simple nullity”

Wi Parata v Bishop of Wellington was a New Zealand court case in 1877, concerning a block of Ngāti Toa land gifted to the Anglican Church in 1848 for a school to be built on.

1881

Invasion of Parihaka

Parihaka was a Māori settlement in the Taranaki region, led by chiefs Tohu Kākahi and Te Whiti o Rongomai.

1883

British Empire in the Pacific

The annexation of the Pacific Islands was proposed in a Bill by Sir George Grey and discussed at an Australasian intercolonial convention held that year. Grey’s Bill did not receive royal assent.

1893

The Electoral Act 

The Act allowed Māori women over the age of 21 to vote.

1899 

Boer War 

The South African War was New Zealand’s first international conflict. Māori are not officially allowed to go but many join up claiming to be Pākehā.

1906

Native Department re-established

1907

Tohunga Suppression Act

The Act was introduced to suppress Tohunga who discouraged Māori from seeking Western medication, instead prescribing traditional healing – rongoā Māori.

1914

World War 1 begins

New Zealand fought on behalf of the British Crown, mainly at the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey and on the Western Front – a stretch of land through France and Belgium.

Some iwi refuse to join WWI forces. Many Māori in Taranaki, Waikato and Te Urewera refuse to enlist in the Pioneer Battalion. In 1917 conscription, which previously only applied to Pākehā, extended to Māori in the Waikato region, they opposed non-violently.

1916

Rua Kenana arrested at Maungapohatu

Armed police raided the Ngāi Tūhoe settlement and arrested Rua Kēnana after he failed to appear before the court for a charge relating to illicitly selling alcohol.

1918

Ratana movement founded

The movement was founded by Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana. It was a religious and political movement, challenging the Crown to honour the Treaty of Waitangi.

Influenza Pandemic

The influenza pandemic was a severe pandemic that infected 500 million people and killed 50 million people worldwide. It arrived in New Zealand in October 1918 and, only two months later, resulted in the death of 9,000 people.

1926

Royal Commission on Land Confiscation (Sim Commission)

The Sim Commission investigated land confiscations throughout history, finding that some were excessive and compensation should be paid to Māori.

1929

Black Saturday in Samoa 

Black Saturday marks the day the New Zealand police force attempted to arrest members of the Mau protest movement in Samoa. The police open fire on the crowd, leaving at least eight dead.

The Great Depression begins

The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic downturn. New Zealand’s agricultural exports plummeted during this time, resulting in mass unemployment.

1930s

The late 19^th century and early 20^th century saw the likes of Sir James Carroll, Sir Apirana Ngata, Sir Peter Buck (Te Rangihīroa) and Sir Maui Pōmare seek to improve Māori welfare through legislation and administration.

1931

Statute of Westminster

The enactment of the Statute of Westminster allowed greater self-government of dominions of the British empire. New Zealand did not adopt this until 1947.

1945

Māori Social and Economic Advancement Act

The Act established tribal and executive committees under the Department of Native Affairs, to promote and assist Māori wellbeing.

Cold War begins

The Cold War began after World War I between the United States and the Soviet Union, and their allies. The war saw the development of atomic weapons and nuclear power.

United Nations is Founded

The United Nations (UN) is an international forum for nations to gather and discuss common problems and find shared solutions. New Zealand was one of 51 countries to join the UN in 1945.

First wave of decolonisation

The first wave of decolonisation began from 1945, when states in Asia and Africa achieved autonomy or independence from their European rulers.

1947

Renaming of Department of Native Affairs and Native Land Court

These were renamed after Prime Minister Peter Fraser, who was also Minister of Native Affairs, passed legislation substituting the word “Māori” for “Native” wherever it occurred.

1949

Iriaka Rātana becomes first wahine Member of Parliament in New Zealand

Iriaka Rātana was the first Māori woman to be elected to Parliament, taking her husband's place as Labour party candidate for the Western Māori electorate after his death that year.

1950s
Rise in post-war Māori urban migration, seeking better opportunities for good housing, employment, and education. Low levels of higher education meant Māori in cities predominantly worked in low-skill employment.

Third Industrial Revolution

The Third Industrial Revolution was the development from mechanical and analogue technology to digital technology.

1951

ANZUS

New Zealand and Australia join ANZUS treaty with the United States of America as part of increasing political and military alignment of New Zealand with the United States.

1953

Māori Affairs Act 

The Act gave the Maori Land Court power to vest ‘unproductive’ Māori land into trustees. The trustees administer that land, which includes the ability to sell or lease it.

1960
Increasing awareness of human rights and Indigenous movements around the world. This period saw the emergence of civil rights movements as oppressed communities around the world fought to abolish segregation and institutional racism

1961

The Hunn Report 

The Hunn report promoted policy to integrate Māori into Pākehā society. This included encouraging Māori migration into urban centres.

1962
The Māori Community Development Act

The Act set up three mechanisms to support Māori community development. It established the New Zealand Māori Council, Māori Wardens and Community Officers.

1963 
Aotearoa signs Partial Test Ban Treaty

The Treaty banned nuclear weapon tests in the atmosphere, outer space and in water. 

1968

Aotearoa signs the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

An international treaty to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.

1971 
Aotearoa joins the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF)

A platform for intergovernmental organisations to discuss issues faced by states in the Pacific Ocean, and to encourage trade relationships.

1972
The Oil Crisis

The oil crisis was triggered when Arab oil producers cut the supply of oil to other states. Increased oil prices sent New Zealand into a recession by 1976.

First wāhine Māori Cabinet Minister

Whetu Tirikātene-Sullivan becomes the first wāhine Māori to hold a Ministerial role. 

UN Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities

The Commission launched a study on the problem of discrimination against Indigenous populations.

1975
Waitangi Tribunal established

The Tribunal was established to investigate breaches of Te Tiriti of Waitangi.

Dame Whina Cooper marches

Dame Whina Cooper led a 1000km march from the top of the North Island to Wellington in protest against the continuing loss of Māori land.

1977

Occupation at Bastion Point

The seventeen-month occupation was prompted by the government’s plan to sell off Crown-owned land at Ōrakei. After 506 days, police and army officers forced protestors from the grounds and arrested 222 people.

1980s

Beginning of Kohanga Reo movement

Economic and public sector reforms hit Māori especially hard due to the disproportionate employment levels in low-skilled, low-paid jobs. Māori unemployment was 25 percent by 1992, compared to a national rate of 10 percent.

1983 
Aotearoa signs Closer Economic Relations (CER) agreement with Australia

Established free trade between Australia and Aotearoa.

1984
Hui Taumata - Māori Economic Commission Established
The Hui Taumata conference was a national forum in which 200 Māori leaders and rangatahi participated in economic, social, cultural and political discussions for Māori.

1985

Waitangi Tribunal jurisdiction extended

The Tribunal is empowered to investigate Treaty claims going back to 1840.

Māori Language Claim lodged

Ngā Kaiwhakapūmau i te Reo lodged the Māori Language claim to the Waitangi Tribunal, obliging the Crown to protect te reo Māori as a “taonga” under Article Two of the Treaty of Waitangi. 

The Energy Crisis

Aotearoa declared itself nuclear free.

1986
Department of Social Welfare Report

The report (Pūao-te-Ata-Tu Report) highlighted institutionalised racism within the Department of Social Welfare and in wider New Zealand society.

1987
Māori Language Act 1987

Te reo Māori becomes an official language and Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (Māori Language Commission) is established.

The Lands case

The Lands case defined and interpreted the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi for the first time.

New Zealand declared nuclear free

New Zealand was declared a nuclear free zone by the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act 1987. This follows efforts from citizens to convince the government to oppose nuclear weapons/

1988

Treaty of Waitangi (State Enterprises) Act 1988

The Act enabled land that was transferred to state enterprises to be returned to Māori ownership.

He Tirohanga Rangapū (Partnership Perspectives)

Provided recommendations on how the government can improve the delivery of services to Māori communities.

Te Urupare Rangapu (Partnership Response)

The government’s response to the proposals in He Tirohanga Rangapū. It suggested restructuring the Department of Māori Affairs.

1989

The Māori Affairs Restructuring Act 1989

The Act established the Ministry of Māori Affairs (Manatū Māori) and the Iwi Transition Agency (Te Tira Ahu Iwi) to replace the Department of Māori Affairs.

Aotearoa joins Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

Promotes relations and free trade between Asia-Pacific

1990

Iwi settlements for historical redress begin

Waikato Raupatu Claims Settlement Act 1995 and Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998 - two of the earliest settlements.

1990

Māori Congress established

The Māori Congress served as a national platform to address issues of Māori interest in a Māori framework.

1991

Ministry of Māori Development Act 1991

The Act established Te Puni Kōkiri, the Ministry of Māori Development.

1992

Mana Motuhake merged with Alliance Party

Mana Motuhake arose as the first independent political voice for Māori in Parliament, formed by former Labour-MP Matiu Rata in 1980. It merged with three others in 1991 to form the Alliance party.

Treaty of Waitangi (Fisheries Claims) Settlement Act

The Act recognises tino rangatiratanga (absolute sovereignty) of Māori over their fisheries. This right was confirmed in article two of the Treaty of Waitangi.

1993

Te Ture Whenua Māori Act (Māori Land Act), Broadcasting Amendment Act, and Electoral Act established 

First Māori Speaker of the House of Representatives

Peter Tapsell is the first Māori to hold the role. 

First wāhine Māori Member of Parliament in a general seat

Sandra Lee is elected to Parliament.

1995

Office of Treaty Settlements established within Department of Justice.

Number of Māori seats in Parliament increases from four to five. 

Aotearoa joins the World Trade Organisation

The World Trade Organisation is an international forum for countries to discuss trade agreements with each other and develop trade capacity, allowing them to improve the welfare of citizens within their economy.

OECD Environmental Performance Review of Aotearoa released

1997

Māori Reserved Land Amendment Act

The Act provided more equitable market rents for Māori reserved land.

Number of Māori seats in Parliament increases from five to six. 

1999

Labour/Alliance coalition government wins elections and regains all six Māori seats.

Mana Motuhake is the first Māori political party in the New Zealand government. 

2002

Māori seats increased from six to seven

20 Māori Members of Parliament in Government

United Nations Permanent Forum On Indigenous Issues attended by Minister for Māori Affairs, Parekura Horomia

New Zealand signs Kyoto Protocol

New Zealand ratified the Kyoto Protocol, a document under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change that commits to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

2003

The Māori Television Service (Te Aratuku Whakaata Irirangi Māori) Act

The Act established the Māori Television Service to promote te reo Māori and tikanga Māori through television broadcasting.

2004 
Foreshore and Seabed Act

The Foreshore and Seabed Act 2003 vested full ownership in the Crown over foreshore and seabed. Thousands marched in protest, to advocate for Māori customary property rights over foreshore and seabed.

Māori Party established.

2005 

The second Hui Taumata Conference

Held 20 years after the first, the Conference sought to accelerate Māori economic development.

2006

Fourth Industrial Revolution, Technologies 4.0 or Internet of Things

The fourth industrial revolution refers to technological breakthroughs of the 2000s, including smartphones, artificial intelligence, 3D printing and the “Internet of Things”.

2007

Te Urewera raids

Police arrested 18 people in the raids, linked to alleged weapons-training camps in the Uruwera Ranges. Among the four arrested was Ngāi Tuhoe activist Tame Iti.

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples establishes a framework for ensuring the survival, dignity and well-being of indigenous peoples around the world. New Zealand was one of four countries that had originally voted against the UN Declaration, later reversing this position.

Asia-Pacific Economics Cooperation (APEC) issues a Declaration on Climate Change, Energy Security and Clean Development

2008

Māori Television launch Te Reo

Te Reo was a Māori TV channel dedicated to broadcasting exclusively in te reo Māori.

2010

Whānau Ora launched 

Whānau Ora was launched in 2010 to empower whānau to be self-sufficient, live healthy lifestyles and participate fully in society and te ao Māori.

2012

Asset Base, Income, Expenditure and GDP of the 2010 Māori Economy Report published

The Māori Economy Report 2010 shows the Māori economy’s contribution to the wider New Zealand economy in 2010.

2015

Māori Economy report 2013 published

Te Ōhanga Māori Report 2013, the Māori Economy Report 2013, shows the Māori economy’s contribution to the wider New Zealand economy in 2013.

2016

Māori Language Act

The Act established Te Mātawai, the entity for Māori language revitalisation.

Paris Agreement 

The Paris Agreement was a global agreement to combat the impacts of climate change. New Zealand ratified the agreement in 2016.

2017

Māori Party failed to take seats in general election

The Labour party captured all seven Māori electorates.

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) commits to strengthening the ability of small enterprises to compete in international markets

2018

Te Arawhiti established

The new Māori-Crown relations Ministerial portfolio led to the establishment of the Office of Māori-Crown Relations, Te Arawhiti.

2019

UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples working group established

Cabinet established a Declaration Advisory Group through Te Puni Kōkiri to achieve the aspirations within the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

Provincial Growth Fund established 

The Fund's purpose is to invest in projects and initiatives that will lead to more jobs and sustainable economic growth for Māori. 

Hāpaitia te Oranga Tangata report published

Hāpaitia te Oranga Tangata shared the experience of victims with the criminal justice system with the aim of strengthening the criminal justice system for victims. Most victims felt that there were systemic issues preventing the criminal justice system from providing adequate support.

2020

Two Māori party seats won

The 2020 general election saw the Māori Party gain two seats in Parliament by co-leaders Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.

Five Māori Cabinet Ministers

Labour government awards five Māori Members of Parliament ministerial roles in Cabinet

Beginning of COVID-19 pandemic