The New Zealand Wars - Television

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Synopsis

The New Zealand Wars was a five-part series detailing the history of Māori vs Pākehā armed conflict. It was presented by historian James Belich, who with his arm-waving zeal proved a convincing homegrown Simon Schama: "we don't need to look overseas for our Robin Hood, our Genghis Khan, Joan of Arc, or Gandhi". The popular series reframed NZ history, and its stories of Hone Heke, Governor Grey, Titokowharu, Te Whiti, Von Tempsky and Te Kooti, easily affirmed Belich's conviction. Excerpted here, the series won Best Documentary at the 1998 Qantas Media Awards.

Background

A perspective by Costa Botes 06.03.2009

In June 2008 the soon-to-be Prime Minister, John Key, expressed the surprising view on Newstalk ZB that, "we're not a country that's come about as a result of civil war or where there's been a lot of fighting internally, we're a country which ...

Episode Summaries by Costa Botes 06.03.2009

1. The War That Britain Lost
In the wake of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, differing expectations between Māori and Pakeha breed resentment. This flares into open conflict in the far north after Hone Heke repeatedly ...

Credits (7)

Tainui Stephens
Director

Colin McRae
Producer

James Belich
Presenter, Writer

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Comments (10)

Jas

Posted at 12.26AM - 30.01.2012

Would love to know the name of that song at end.Can anyone help. I saw this series years ago but still remember how great that song was

Hone Heke

Posted at 01.49AM - 03.12.2011

James Belich is the best historian in the world

Jules Pearce

Posted at 04.34PM - 09.10.2011

@ Ioan Baker, it's Whirimako Black singing over the credits, not sure of the name of the song.

Nika Rua

Posted at 12.20PM - 06.10.2011

Tena ra Koutou,
Waimarie kua whakatu koutou i tetahi wharangi ipurangi mo matou nga tauira ki te ako i nga korero hitori
Tena koutou katoa.

Ioan Baker

Posted at 12.23AM - 14.09.2011

What is the name of the waiata over the credits and who is singing?

Brenda Leeuwenberg

Posted at 08.27PM - 06.07.2011

Hey Quinn - just to the right and below the player there's a button that says BUY IT - there's a link there to the box set of DVDs for this series from Aro Video :http://www.arovideo.co.nz/film.php?FilmID=5715

Quinn Shaw-Williams

Posted at 08.20PM - 06.07.2011

Great series, any link to the full episodes? or mention of where they can be purchased? These snippets are annoying, as they leave out the conclusions of many of the events they mention... Actually in my opinion the full episodes should be here as a service to New Zealanders.
Of course it is absolutely no surprise that John Key is an ignorant fool when it comes to our countries history, along with many other issues that have nothing to do with making himself and his mates rich.

Taneiha

Posted at 03.55AM - 27.06.2011

Ive always loved this series , James Belich has done us proud in telling an unbias account of our history.Kia ora to James Belich this is how I'll tell my children our history

Koha

Posted at 05.22PM - 22.04.2011

Belich's analysis of the past is accurate. Every history book I have studied, consists of twisted accounts and bias view points. Kia Ora to James Belich for presenting the truth.

Tim

Posted at 09.20PM - 25.01.2011

A great series. I agree with Mr Belich, we don't need to look overseas for great history. I also think we don't need to look overseas for great art literature or music either.

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