title: Viewpoints on the Veldt: The Attitudes and Opinions of New Zealand Soldiers during the South African War, 1899-1902

authors: Nicholson, Blair

subjects: South African War

abstract: The purpose of this study was to take a critical look at the attitudes and beliefs of New Zealander who served in the South African War, 1899-1902, through a close and critical reading of letters, diaries and reminiscences written by over 60 soldiers during and after the conflict. This was intended to correct social myths and historical distortions revolving around the soldiers and their experiences in South Africa, and to reveal the diversity of attitudes expressed by historical actors rather than continuing to see attitudes in generalised and popular terms. 

The thesis is structured thematically, with the first chapter analysing attitudes to writing, followed by two chapters concerning attitudes to people - the Others encountered while at war and themselves and their own identity - while chapter four investigates attitudes about the war itself, their motivations, and the duties required of them. The results revealed that the attitudes of the New Zealanders cannot be generalised to the degree attempted by many scholarly works and that, in most cases, dissenting opinions are displayed regarding the topics analysed. The implication of this thesis is that research into the historical past is made richer by taking a microhistorical approach, and by acknowledging contradictory and competing beliefs and individual thoughts, rather than propagating unproblematised social myths.

text: Viewpoints on the Veldt: The Attitudes and Opinions of New Zealand Soldiers during the South African War, 1899-1902 The purpose of this study was to take a critical look at the attitudes and beliefs of New Zealander who served in the South African War, 1899-1902, through a close and critical reading of letters, diaries and reminiscences written by over 60 soldiers during and after the conflict. This was intended to correct social myths and historical distortions revolving around the soldiers and their experiences in South Africa, and to reveal the diversity of attitudes expressed by historical actors rather than continuing to see attitudes in generalised and popular terms. 

The thesis is structured thematically, with the first chapter analysing attitudes to writing, followed by two chapters concerning attitudes to people - the Others encountered while at war and themselves and their own identity - while chapter four investigates attitudes about the war itself, their motivations, and the duties required of them. The results revealed that the attitudes of the New Zealanders cannot be generalised to the degree attempted by many scholarly works and that, in most cases, dissenting opinions are displayed regarding the topics analysed. The implication of this thesis is that research into the historical past is made richer by taking a microhistorical approach, and by acknowledging contradictory and competing beliefs and individual thoughts, rather than propagating unproblematised social myths.

year: 2012

title: John Squirrell: a farmer and storekeeper who mined (briefly) at Te Aroha

authors: Hart, Philip

abstract: An English merchant’s clerk, some years after his wife’s death John Squirrell brought his sister and daughters to New Zealand to settle in the new Shaftesbury settlement, upriver from Te Aroha. His letters to English relatives provided details of their experiments with growing a variety of produce, which they sold locally or sent to the Auckland. He also took over a store, running it with the assistance of one of his daughters and struggling to obtain payment from customers before refusing to sell on credit. A leading member of the small Shaftesbury community, he did his best to assist its development.
In 1888 a blacksmith and sometime miner, James Munro, convinced him to prospect ground in the Tui portion of the goldfield. Again, his letters provided details of their amateur and short-term, unprofitable efforts; lacking capital to open up their ground, it was soon abandoned. His investments in Waiorongomai mines were equally unprofitable.
In 1892 Squirrell acquired land at another settlement, at Gordon, further upriver. He struggled to develop this farm, and was involved in conflicts with other members of the settlement, especially after he became secretary of the association. He continued to farm elsewhere, and became involved in early dairy companies, again becoming caught up in controversy.
A man holding strong opinions on a variety of topics, and very willing to express them, he regarded himself as a radical but opposed the Liberal Government. In his personal life he had to cope with two daughters suffering from mental problems, one of them being admitted to the asylum. He spent all his life attempting to provide for his family, only attaining a modest standard of living.

text: John Squirrell: a farmer and storekeeper who mined (briefly) at Te Aroha An English merchant’s clerk, some years after his wife’s death John Squirrell brought his sister and daughters to New Zealand to settle in the new Shaftesbury settlement, upriver from Te Aroha. His letters to English relatives provided details of their experiments with growing a variety of produce, which they sold locally or sent to the Auckland. He also took over a store, running it with the assistance of one of his daughters and struggling to obtain payment from customers before refusing to sell on credit. A leading member of the small Shaftesbury community, he did his best to assist its development.
In 1888 a blacksmith and sometime miner, James Munro, convinced him to prospect ground in the Tui portion of the goldfield. Again, his letters provided details of their amateur and short-term, unprofitable efforts; lacking capital to open up their ground, it was soon abandoned. His investments in Waiorongomai mines were equally unprofitable.
In 1892 Squirrell acquired land at another settlement, at Gordon, further upriver. He struggled to develop this farm, and was involved in conflicts with other members of the settlement, especially after he became secretary of the association. He continued to farm elsewhere, and became involved in early dairy companies, again becoming caught up in controversy.
A man holding strong opinions on a variety of topics, and very willing to express them, he regarded himself as a radical but opposed the Liberal Government. In his personal life he had to cope with two daughters suffering from mental problems, one of them being admitted to the asylum. He spent all his life attempting to provide for his family, only attaining a modest standard of living.

year: 2016

title: Kaupapa Māori framework and literature review of key prinicples

authors: Kennedy, Nathan

subjects: New Zealand

abstract: The literature review in this report was the starting point for the development of a Māori research strand within the Planning Under Co-operative Mandates (PUCM) research programme. The original purpose of this report Kaupapa Māori Framework and Literature Review of Key Principles was to establish definitions of environmentally significant concepts of kaupapa and tikanga Māori. In  addition,  the  review  sought  to  identify  and  briefly  describe  significant  variations between  understandings of the key concepts without attempting to reconcile these. As the purpose of the review in 2005 was to inform the development of a kaupapa Māori methodology for the identification and development of Māori environmental outcomes and indicators, we paid particular regard to Māori perceptions of the environment and the relevance of each concept in environmental terms.

text: Kaupapa Māori framework and literature review of key prinicples The literature review in this report was the starting point for the development of a Māori research strand within the Planning Under Co-operative Mandates (PUCM) research programme. The original purpose of this report Kaupapa Māori Framework and Literature Review of Key Principles was to establish definitions of environmentally significant concepts of kaupapa and tikanga Māori. In  addition,  the  review  sought  to  identify  and  briefly  describe  significant  variations between  understandings of the key concepts without attempting to reconcile these. As the purpose of the review in 2005 was to inform the development of a kaupapa Māori methodology for the identification and development of Māori environmental outcomes and indicators, we paid particular regard to Māori perceptions of the environment and the relevance of each concept in environmental terms.

year: 2009-06-30