The Early Days

But how could you be at one with those who grabbed whole horizons of your tribal lands?

– From the narration, on events leading to the Land Wars

Inspiration for artist, revelation for men of science. In New Zealand’s forests two thirds of the plant life had never been seen before. And within there teemed a bird population of multifarious species and colour.

– From the narration

1900, and colonists could well rejoice: their wives were among the first in the world to win the right to vote, their elders could retire on a pension, and the amalgamation of the two races had been achieved.

– From the narration

History is usually the domain of the historian and the musty textbook, but it can be projected simply, on the everyday postage stamp.

– From the narration

For the Māori the coming of the white man was possibly a bad thing. Corruption and new diseases could threaten his very existence. The fervent missionary early on the scene had two duties: civilisation of the savage and his conversion to christianity.

– From the narration