New Zealand Wars

The New Zealand Wars, also known as the Land Wars, were a series of conflicts from 1845 to 1872 between Māori iwi (tribes) and the British colonial government. The wars mainly stemmed from disputes over land rights, sovereignty, and Maori resistance to land sales and confiscations. Māori sought to defend their land, culture, and political autonomy in the face of European settlement and land acquisition. The conflicts resulted in significant land loss for Māori, changes to land laws, and lasting impacts on Māori communities and New Zealand society.