The Great War for New Zealand: Waikato 1800-2000

The Great War for New Zealand examines the Waikato War of 1863-64 and its lasting impact on New Zealand over a 200-year span. O'Malley draws on extensive research to present both Māori and Pākehā perspectives on this pivotal conflict. The book chronicles events from early Māori-European contact in the Waikato region through to the invasion by British and colonial forces. It details the rise of the Kīngitanga (Māori King movement), land disputes, and the complex political dynamics that led to war. The narrative continues through post-war confiscations and follows the consequences for Waikato Māori into the 20th and 21st centuries. The text incorporates oral histories, archival documents, and photographs to document this extended period. This work challenges readers to confront difficult aspects of New Zealand's colonial past while highlighting the war's central importance to the nation's history. The book's scope and depth make it a benchmark text for understanding the relationship between Māori and Pākehā in New Zealand.

Readers describe this as a thorough account of the Waikato War and its long-term impacts. Many note its clear presentation of complex historical events and use of both Māori and Pākehā perspectives. Liked: - Detailed research and extensive use of primary sources - Balanced coverage of different viewpoints - Clear maps and illustrations - Accessibility for general readers Disliked: - Length (some found 600+ pages overwhelming) - Academic writing style in certain sections - High retail price Ratings: Goodreads: 4.6/5 (21 ratings) AbeBooks: 5/5 (3 ratings) Select Review Comments: "Comprehensive without being dry" - Goodreads reviewer "Changed my understanding of New Zealand history" - Papers Past reader "Dense in parts but worth persevering" - Amazon reviewer "Cost prohibited me from buying my own copy" - Library user review [Note: Limited review data available online as this is an academic press book]

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🗝️ The book won the Royal Society Te Apārangi Award for General Non-Fiction at the 2017 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards 📚 At nearly 700 pages long, it was the first comprehensive history of the Waikato War published since 1879 ⚔️ The Waikato War (1863-64) was the largest and most significant conflict in New Zealand's colonial history, resulting in the confiscation of over 1.2 million acres of Māori land 👨‍🏫 Author Vincent O'Malley interviewed more than 100 people during his research, including many descendants of those who fought in the war on both sides 🏛️ The book sparked renewed public interest in New Zealand's colonial conflicts and contributed to increased calls for the New Zealand Wars to be taught in schools