info from: www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/australiasia/new_zealand/history.htm

New Zealand History

The Polynesian navigator Kupe has been credited with the discovery of New Zealand around 800 AD. Legend has it his wife, Hine-te-aparangi, named it Aotearoa, Land of the Long White Cloud., eventually supplanting or mixing with previous residents. Their culture developed over centuries.

In 1642, the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman briefly sailed along the west coast of New Zealand; any thoughts of a longer stay were thwarted when his attempt to land resulted in several of his crew being killed and eaten. In 1769, Captain James Cook navigated  the two main islands aboard the Endeavour. Contact with the Maoris also proved violent but Cook, impressed with the Maoris' bravery and spirit and recognising the potential of this newfound land, grabbed it for the British crown before setting sail for Australia.

In 1840, the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, with the Maori giving  their country to Britain in exchange for protection and guaranteed possession of their lands. But relations between the Maori and Pakeha(British) soon soured. the Maoris became increasingly alarmed at the effect the Pakeha had on their society while the Pakeha rode roughshod over Maori rights outlined in the treaty. In 1860, war broke out between them, continuing for much of the decade. The fighting eventually died down, and though there was no formal resolution, the Pakehas claimed victory.

By the late 19th century, things had temporarily calmed down. The discovery of gold had engendered much prosperity, and wide-scale sheep farming meant New Zealand became an efficient and mostly self-reliant country. Sweeping social changes – women having babies, social security, the encouragement of trade unions and the introduction of child care services - cemented New Zealand's reputation as a country committed to reform.