January 22nd

What:
British colonists arrive in New Zealand

Where:
New Zealand

Year:
1840

Information and Significance
On January 22nd, 1840 British colonists reached New Zealand. After the loss of the American colonies the British went in search of a new place to keep the ever rising number of the incarcerated. Although this role would eventually go to Australia instead the colonists had found a place of wonders. The New Zealanders quickly spread around the two islands. On the North Island they would find large amounts of gold and other natural resources on the South Island. The number of British would quickly swell, which would lead them into conflict with the native population of the Moari. The Maori managed to hold out until the British outnumbered them 3:1. However, New Zealand would gain token independence from Britain in the early twentieth century, and would loosen its ties with that country in the 1950s and 60s.