Abstract
[…] The present pattern of farming in New Zealand evolved through many changes which were in themselves
responses to the landscape found by the Europeans, based on the cultural background of the settlers, the
changing demands of markets both domestic and overseas, technological advances, and the development and
expansion of transportation facilities. The nineteenth century was one of experimentation and change in New
Zealand farming, whereas the present century, despite minor changes of emphasis, has been primarily a period of intensification of an already established basic pattern. What follows is an attempt to describe the geography of New Zealand farming - its characteristics, methods, and changes - from the time of Cook's arrival in 1769 until 1881, the year previous to the successful landing of frozen New Zealand meat and dairy produce in London. This thesis is an exercise in Historical Geography, a field which no longer needs to be defined, or a special plea made for its validity as part of the field of Geography. A word, however, may be noted about the element of change. Some geographers would suggest that changes in time belong only to history, but as Hartshorne notes the study of 'differences from
place to place changing through time' is validly part of historical geography. Thus the emphasis in respect to change in this thesis is where and why the changes took place. [Extract from Preface]