Right Day, Wrong Date?
We have settled on 28 October as our new New Zealand Wars Day, with preparations underway around the country to commemorate these past conflicts. However, the choice of the date – 28 October – was surprising, having had little to do with the actual wars themselves. The date was chosen by a gathering of tribal leaders held in early 2016. So, why this date chosen? It’s the day, we are told, that the earlier Declaration of Independence was signed,… Read more »
Reconciliation at Parihaka
On 9 June 2017, the Parihaka community met with Crown officials to receive a reconciliation apology, and $9m restitution for past Crown actions. Looking back over the history of Parihaka since the invasion of 1881, this was a truly momentous occasion, as many have rightly said. Enormous credit must go to the Parihaka negotiators and people who made this possible; history was certainly on their side, as it was on the… 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.
Visit Wars Without End
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
Wars Photography
Photographing the wars – then and now – provides a fascinating insight into the reality of the wars. A photo is also a document – how much do they tell us?
Explore Photography
