Edward Gibbon Wakefield has been a controversial figure in the historiography of New Zealand. Once deified, present historians widely disregard him today. This apparent change in the perception of Wakefield’s theory of ‘systematic colonisation’ and the impact of his New Zealand Company on the quality of immigrants shall be examined in this essay. I have chosen to take five general New Zealand Histories into account, which cover the time span of almost a century. The aim will not be to find any history that has contributed to the myth of the better immigrants, but to examine how a widely spread range of the most regarded concise histories of New Zealand have reflected on this issue.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Defining ‘better immigrants’
3. William Pember Reeves: The Long White Cloud. Ao Tea Roa
4. Keith Sinclair: A History of New Zealand
5. W. H. Oliver: The Story of New Zealand
6. The Oxford History of New Zealand
7. James Belich: Making Peoples
8. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This essay examines the historiographical evolution of the perception of Edward Gibbon Wakefield’s "systematic colonisation" and its impact on the quality of immigrants to New Zealand. The central research question explores how various concise histories of New Zealand have either perpetuated or challenged the myth of "better immigrants" throughout the last century.
- The historical construction of the "better immigrant" myth.
- Edward Gibbon Wakefield’s influence on New Zealand’s colonial theory.
- Historiographical shifts in the depiction of settler society and immigrant quality.
- Comparative analysis of how five influential New Zealand histories treat these myths.
- The transition from traditional colonial narratives to modern social history.
Excerpt from the Book
Defining ‘better immigrants’
In A Letter from Sydney, first published in 1829, Wakefield writes in the introduction that ‘the labouring classes’ as well as ‘a large proportion … of the highest families’ ought to emigrate to form ‘a mixture of all classes of society’ in the colonies. Yet he has a society of noble character in mind, from which he clearly rules out convicts and for which he favours eager labourers to create a flourishing economy with opportunities that are unknown in the mother land. It should be noted here that all historians regarded for this essay agree that Wakefield sought a certain, better proportion of immigrants, but no exact agreement exists about the actual composition of this better proportion.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Outlines the controversial legacy of Edward Gibbon Wakefield and the essay's intent to analyze how five major histories reflect the "better immigrant" myth.
Defining ‘better immigrants’: Explores Wakefield’s original 1829 vision of a balanced colonial society and identifies the scholarly consensus regarding his intent to curate the immigrant population.
William Pember Reeves: The Long White Cloud. Ao Tea Roa: Analyzes Reeves' celebratory depiction of Wakefield as a hero of the colony, noting how this narrative reinforces settlement myths.
Keith Sinclair: A History of New Zealand: Discusses Sinclair's critical shift, where the author actively dismantles Wakefield's reputation and disputes the validity of the "better immigrant" myth.
W. H. Oliver: The Story of New Zealand: Examines Oliver's balanced approach, which acknowledges Wakefield’s cleverness while remaining neutral toward his actual achievements and failures.
The Oxford History of New Zealand: Focuses on the shift toward social history and the marginalization of Wakefield as a primary agent in New Zealand’s history.
James Belich: Making Peoples: Details Belich's sophisticated interpretation of the myth itself as a historical force, rehabilitating Wakefield’s importance not as a factual colonizer, but as a symbolic myth-maker.
Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, observing that while most modern histories have debunked the "better immigrant" legend, its phantom continues to influence historical discourse.
Keywords
Edward Gibbon Wakefield, New Zealand History, Historiography, Systematic Colonisation, Better Immigrants, Settler Society, Colonialism, Immigration Policy, Myth of Origin, Pakeha, Social History, William Pember Reeves, Keith Sinclair, W. H. Oliver, James Belich
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper examines how historical accounts of New Zealand's colonization have portrayed Edward Gibbon Wakefield’s theory of "systematic colonisation" and the concept of attracting "better immigrants."
What are the central themes discussed in this work?
The themes include the historiographical shifts regarding Wakefield, the evolution of New Zealand immigration myths, and the transition from traditional, heroic narratives to modern social history.
What is the core research question?
The essay explores to what extent the history of New Zealand's European colonization has been written as a history of "superior selection" or "the best immigrants."
Which methodology is applied to this research?
The author performs a comparative historiographical analysis by examining five prominent general histories of New Zealand spanning roughly one century.
What does the main body cover?
The main body systematically analyzes how authors like Reeves, Sinclair, Oliver, Graham, and Belich interpret Wakefield and the social composition of early New Zealand settlers.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
Key terms include historiography, systematic colonisation, better immigrants, Wakefield, settler society, and the myth of origin.
How does Belich differ from earlier historians in his treatment of Wakefield?
Unlike Sinclair, who aggressively attacks Wakefield, Belich acknowledges Wakefield’s insignificance as a practical colonizer while simultaneously validating his importance as a creator of a powerful national myth.
What conclusion does the author reach regarding the "better immigrant" myth?
The author concludes that while the myth has been effectively uncovered and debunked by modern historians, its influence remains a lingering presence in the history of New Zealand.
- Quote paper
- David Glowsky (Author), 2002, To what extent has the history of New Zealand's European colonisation and settlement been written as a history of 'superior selection', chosen people or 'the best immigrants'?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/20225
