Maoris of New Zealand

Maoris fascinated 19th Century British Imperialists. The British quickly came to respect the warrior traditions and culture of the inhabitants of New Zealand. They were regarded as having a claim on the lands, (unlike the aborigines of Australia) and so the British negotiated settlement rights with them culminating in the Treaty of Waitangi. However, settler encroachments, Western diseases and tribal turmoil in the face of these challenges all spilled over into frequent clashes with the British throughout the 19th Century. The British had to reconcile themselves to fighting a determined and skilled adversary who frequently caused the British military severe difficulties and problems.