Andrew McDermott

From the first Polynesian voyagers who crossed vast oceans in fragile waka, to the arrival of European settlers and the shaping of a modern nation, A History of New Zealand traces the remarkable story of Aotearoa through discovery, conflict, adaptation, and identity. This book explores the deep roots of Maori society and culture long before European contact, the transformative impact of colonisation and the Treaty of Waitangi, and the complex journey toward nationhood that followed.
It examines how waves of migration, economic change, and global conflict reshaped the islands, while also highlighting the resilience of Maori communities. Balanced, accessible, and deeply engaging, this work brings together political, cultural, and social history to reveal how modern New Zealand emerged. It is a story of innovation and tension, loss and renewal, and the ongoing negotiation of identity in a Pacific nation connected to the wider world.
Ideal for general readers, students, and anyone interested in how small islands in the South Pacific became one of the most distinctive nations on earth.