The Past from the Paepae
The paepae is the place on the marae where elders stand to deliver their speeches and, as it so happens, to present their versions of history. The paepae can be said to be the controlling site of all Māori knowledge, including knowledge of the past. Speeches are an oral process of course, delivered before a discriminating audience. How then do kaumātua bring to mind such knowledge / histories when delivering oratory from the paepae? … Read more »
‘Indian Hating’ and Native History
‘Indian-Hating’ is a somewhat harsh term used by James Sandos and Larry Burgess in their amazing book The Hunt for Willie Boy (perhaps harsh for New Zealand ears ..) Published in 1994, this terrific book tells the story of a manhunt in Southern California in September 1929. Written by two fine ‘white’ historians (as Pākehā are called in the USA), the book’s essential thesis – how ‘Indian-hating’ has uncritically permeated popular culture in the USA – certainly resonates in other communites… Read more »
Wars Without End
The conflicts against Māori did not end when the last shots were fired in 1872. Instead, they carried over into the courts and Parliament. The section explores New Zealand after the wars.
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Global Native History
Covers the multiple and intersecting pasts of all native peoples around the world. This section explores the nature of this new and developing genre of history.
Visit Global Native HistoryDanny Keenan’s Published Works
Over the years, Danny (who is the writer of this site) has published widely on Māori and New Zealand history. His focus has mainly been Māori-State relations in the 19th Century, of which the New Zealand Land Wars were of course an important part. This section contains copies of Dr Keenan’s writings which you are free to access. Our hope is to eventually upload here everything that Danny has published to date.
Danny's Works
The Wars in Documents
This section brings together many of the important primary documents that help us to understand the origins and consequences of the New Zealand Wars.
Explore Documents
