The impact of emergent development philosophies on formal British intervention in New Zealand between 1840 and 1842 : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Development Studies at Massey University
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Date
2001
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Massey University
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Abstract
Between 1840 and 1842, the British Government commenced and then began to consolidate its formal colonial rule of New Zealand. Through the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi (1840) and the subsequent installation of the country's first Governor, New Zealand was directed predominantly by the British Government and evolved into a state which had growing political, social, and economic links with Britain. The primary objective of this thesis is to examine the way in which certain nineteenth century British ideas on development either influenced or were reflected in the nature of official British involvement in New Zealand between 1840 and 1842, and on British policy on New Zealand in the preceding decades. New Zealand was the last of the 'white' colonies to be established by the British Crown. Its period of annexation coincided with profound developments taking place in England in connection with ideas about the progress and improvement of nations, and of intentional rather than immanent development. New Zealand's early years of Crown Colony Government represent the convergence of all these factors within a very short space of time. The conclusion reached in this thesis is that formal British involvement in New Zealand - in the immediate period after the treaty of cession was signed - reflected the impact of contemporary ideas about development, and that there existed among some officials in New Zealand a distinct intent to develop the colony along the lines of these ideas. It is also apparent, however, that these philosophies were in some cases compromised because of shifting circumstances and insufficient resources to carry them through. Hence, in this period, the development of Maori and European in the colony failed to match the ideals of progress and development specifically prescribed by contemporary social philosophers, policy makers, and sometimes even the Crown's representatives in the colony.
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Developmental policy, New Zealand history