Old New Zealand: Being Incidents of Native Customs and Character in the Old Times

In this vivid collection of first‑hand sketches, a European newcomer records the everyday world of the Māori before settlement reshaped it. From the striking first sight of coastal villages and warm ceremonial welcomes to fierce war dances and solemn tapu rituals, the book paints a culture proud of its courage, hospitality, and communal law. Market exchanges, wrestling bouts, and the intricate customs surrounding land and trade are recounted with real people at their centre.

The sketches unfold as lively vignettes—a chief’s thoughts on trade, the humor of a wrestling match, the solemnity of a muru ceremony, and tales of oracles and tapu. Each scene offers insight into how Māori society balanced generosity with strict codes, settled disputes, and wove the land into identity. While the narrative hints at the rapid changes that settlers would bring, it remains an observant and respectful tribute to a world whose customs once thrummed with their own unique harmony.