The Early Days

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

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

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

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