Samuel D Carpenter

Tag: New Zealand history

  • Op-Ed: understanding “the Doctrine of Discovery” in context

    I was recently asked to contribute an opinion piece on the recent discourse surrounding “the Doctrine of Discovery”. I attempted to locate the “doctrine” in context by explaining what it was (and what it wasn’t). I argued that it has little direct relevance to New Zealand history, while also acknowledging that an assertion of sovereignty…

  • From the Archives, no. 4: early printed versions of He Wakaputanga 1835 and Te Tiriti 1840 – printed at the Paihia mission press

    I came across these in my files this week and just thought I would post them here: first, because they are beautifully clear printing efforts by William Colenso (in 1836) and John Telford (in 1845) on the Paihia mission press; and second, because they are reminders of how interwoven the story of these documents are…

  • Can te Tiriti-the Treaty be reconciled? A review of Ned Fletcher’s The English Text of the Treaty of Waitangi – by S. Carpenter

    Just published in the last week or so: Samuel Carpenter, ‘Review of The English Text of the Treaty of Waitangi, by Ned Fletcher. Bridget Williams Books, 2022′, in New Zealand Journal of History 57/1 (2023): 93-94.

  • from the lecture room #2

    Below is a second lecture segment that highlights two of the most significant Māori political speeches and correspondence of the mid-nineteenth century: Rēnata Kawepō’s critique of the Waitara transaction, and Wiremu Tamehana’s defence of the Kīngitanga. (Another segment from my lecture series at Laidlaw College for the level 600 and 700 paper Te Harinui: Christianity…

  • treaty stories #2 – Tīpene Chrisp

    This is the second in a series of conversations with a few old friends and colleagues in the treaty sector to raise awareness of the kinds of issues, challenges and opportunities faced in that world. And really just to shine some light (māramatanga) on what goes on “on the inside” of the process – whether…

  • Williams Family Reunion 200th anniversary, 1823-2023.

    This coming weekend will see a significant family gathering take place in Waitangi, Bay of Islands, when descendants of Henry and Marianne Williams, and William and Jane Williams, will gather to mark 200 years of living in and contributing to this land of Aotearoa New Zealand: https://www.williams2023.co.nz/. The event will be hosted by the hapū…

  • treaty stories #1 – Andrew Irwin

    This is a series of conversations with a few old friends and colleagues in the treaty sector to raise awareness of the kinds of issues, challenges and opportunities faced in that world. And really just to shine some light (wētahi mārama) on what goes on “on the inside” of the process – whether Waitangi Tribunal…

  • What I’m Reading – VLOG#6

    This week I revive my “What I’m Reading” blog. I highlight an amazing text that forces us to dive into the complicated picture of customary land interests and the questionable progress of colonial settlement into the Rangitikei-Manawatū region in the late 1860s. Text highlighted: Thomas C. Williams, The Manawatū Purchase Completed, or, the Treaty of…

  • Teaching #AotearoaNZhistories

    While preparing lectures to teach an amazing course on Christianity in Aotearoa, there is no shortage of phenomenal books and resources (including online) now available. New Zealand authors and publishers have done fantastically well in recent times re Aotearoa NZ history. Here’s just a snapshot of a few – on my desk today:

  • #From the Archives, no. 3

    Henry Williams’ account of the spread of Christianity like wildfire along Kāpiti Coast under teacher Ripahau; and the challenge of working in parallel with Wesleyan missionaries! Henry Williams to CMS, 23 January 1840, Paihia, CMS CN/O94, NLA (original and typescript):