A Concise History of New Zealand

Cambridge Concise Histories

by Philippa Mein Smith

New Zealand was the last major landmass, other than Antarctica, to be settled by humans. The story of this rugged and dynamic land is beautifully narrated, from its origins in Gondwana some 80 million years ago to the twenty-first century. Philippa Mein Smith highlights the effects of the country's smallness and isolation, from its late settlement by Polynesian voyagers and colonisation by Europeans and the exchanges that made these people Maori and Pakeha to the dramatic struggles over land and recent efforts to manage global forces. A Concise History of New Zealand places New Zealand in its global and regional context. It unravels key moments the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, the Anzac landing at Gallipoli, the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior showing their role as nation-building myths and connecting them with the less dramatic forces, economic and social, that have shaped contemporary New Zealand.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

370 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[J.M. Hushour · Rating 2 out of 5]

Home to some of your favorite things (orcs, Murray), you'd expect to feel exhilarated learning about one of the newest places people that might look like you colonized, but you won't leave this book feeling that way. It falls into the hole that so many histories do, with an overemphasis on economics and politics that the lay person could care less about. Mind-blearing sections on Rogernomics alternate with fascinating if confusing sections on the Maori struggle for their rightful rights. The Maori bits are really good, but confusing because a lot of Maori words and phrases are used without any explanation. Halfway through I realized there was a Maori glossary at the back of the book! Then you just feel stupid.
Anyway, enough about me--the Maori parts are good, and you can't help but be fascinated by NZ's soaring natural wealth and cultural awesomeness. It'll likely be the one place where humans will remain when some turdy pandemic starts, maybe a few other islands. Unfortunately, you get little sense of that awesomeness here since there is hardly anything about culture except for the Maori bits. Too much economy and politics. Get with it, historians!

[Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Informative, yet highly boring. And it jumps around a bit. Only recommended if you want to learn about New Zealand's history and enjoy something that reads like a textbook.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A comprehensive and useful history that taught me so much. It would have been nice if the prose were less dry, and more explanation was frequently needed for non-NZ readers (who must surely be assumed to be part of the audience for this book).

[Joey · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent and brief introduction to New Zealand history. Recommended for a first time history reader or New Zealand.

[Cameron · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a solid history of New Zealand. I couldn't find anything that was especially highly regarded, so this was good enough. Worth a read if you are going to New Zealand...otherwise, not so much.

[Anne]

I got about halfway through this book, but it was a hard one to get excited about. Maybe I'll finish it someday...

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth reading but some redundancy and much opinion.

[Mariya]

NO