Maori, European and Half-caste Children; The Destitute, the Neglected and the Orphaned : An Investigation into the Early New Zealand European Contact Period and the Care of Children 1840 - 1852

Abstract

This dissertation explores New Zealand society between the years of 1840 to 1852 in order to ascertain the situation of neglected, orphaned and destitute Maori children within early European settlements. Throughout this research it has become clear that there is limited information regarding Maori children within the colony and that the majority of this information relates to the children from both European and half-caste descent. My aim is to explore this period to obtain an understanding of how it was that Maori children became neglected or destitute, or at least why they were seen this way. In order to do this a wider understanding of both Maori and European societies will be investigated from the period directly prior to contact to the end of the Crown Colony period. Not only will destitution and neglect amongst Maori be examined, but also neglect and destitution within European society itself. At its conclusion, it is intended that this dissertation will provide an understanding of how destitution, neglect and orphaned children within New Zealand, up to the end of the Crown Colony period, were acknowledged and what interventions were put in place in an attempt to rectify this situation.