<P> The history of New Zealand dates back at least 700 years to when it was discovered and settled by Polynesians , who developed a distinct Māori culture centred on kinship links and land . The first European explorer to sight New Zealand was Dutch navigator Abel Tasman on 13 December 1642 . The Dutch were also the first non-natives to explore and chart New Zealand 's coastline . Captain James Cook , who reached New Zealand in October 1769 on the first of his three voyages , was the first European explorer to circumnavigate and map New Zealand . From the late 18th century , the country was regularly visited by explorers and other sailors , missionaries , traders and adventurers . In 1840 the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between the British Crown and various Māori chiefs , bringing New Zealand into the British Empire and giving Māori the same rights as British subjects . There was extensive British settlement throughout the rest of the century and into the early part of the next century . War and the imposition of a European economic and legal system led to most of New Zealand 's land passing from Māori to Pākehā ( European ) ownership , and most Māori subsequently became impoverished . </P>
<P> The history of New Zealand dates back at least 700 years to when it was discovered and settled by Polynesians , who developed a distinct Māori culture centred on kinship links and land . The first European explorer to sight New Zealand was Dutch navigator Abel Tasman on 13 December 1642 . The Dutch were also the first non-natives to explore and chart New Zealand 's coastline . Captain James Cook , who reached New Zealand in October 1769 on the first of his three voyages , was the first European explorer to circumnavigate and map New Zealand . From the late 18th century , the country was regularly visited by explorers and other sailors , missionaries , traders and adventurers . In 1840 the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between the British Crown and various Māori chiefs , bringing New Zealand into the British Empire and giving Māori the same rights as British subjects . There was extensive British settlement throughout the rest of the century and into the early part of the next century . War and the imposition of a European economic and legal system led to most of New Zealand 's land passing from Māori to Pākehā ( European ) ownership , and most Māori subsequently became impoverished . </P>
when did the british come to new zealand
when did the british come to new zealand
October 1769
October 1769