Encircled Lands: Te Urewera, 1820-1921

Encircled Lands examines the history of Te Urewera, the homeland of Ngāi Tūhoe, during a crucial century of interaction between Māori and European colonizers in New Zealand. The book focuses on the period from 1820 to 1921, documenting the political, social, and cultural transformations that occurred in this remote region. Historian Judith Binney reconstructs the complex relationships between Tūhoe leaders and the Crown through extensive use of oral histories, archival documents, and historical records. The narrative tracks land confiscations, military campaigns, and ongoing negotiations between Tūhoe and government authorities. This historical account provides context for understanding modern Treaty settlements and indigenous rights in New Zealand. Through her analysis of Te Urewera's past, Binney explores universal themes of sovereignty, colonization, and the enduring connection between people and their ancestral lands.

Readers value Binney's thorough research and detailed documentation of Te Urewera's history through government records, oral histories, and Tūhoe sources. Several academics and historians noted her balanced presentation of both Māori and Pākehā perspectives on the land conflicts. Likes: - Maps, photographs and illustrations enhance understanding - Extensive use of primary sources - Clear explanation of complex tribal relationships - Records previously undocumented oral histories Dislikes: - Dense academic writing style challenges casual readers - Cost limits accessibility ($130+ NZD) - Some readers found the chronological structure confusing Limited review data available online: Goodreads: No ratings Amazon: No reviews Library Thing: 1 rating (4/5 stars) Most discussion appears in academic journals and New Zealand historical publications. The book received the 2010 New Zealand Post Book of the Year Award, with judges citing its "monumental scholarship" and "masterful interweaving of written and oral sources."

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🌿 Te Urewera is one of New Zealand's largest remaining native forests, and was the first natural feature to be granted legal personhood status in 2014, meaning it has the same rights as a human being. 📚 Author Judith Binney spent over 30 years researching and writing about Tūhoe history, developing deep relationships with the iwi (tribe) and becoming known by the Māori name "Tomairangi o te Aroha." ⚔️ The book details the infamous "scorched earth" campaign of 1869, when colonial forces destroyed Tūhoe villages and crops, leading to widespread starvation and displacement. 🏆 Encircled Lands won the New Zealand Post Book of the Year Award in 2010 and is considered one of the most comprehensive works on Tūhoe-Crown relations ever written. 🗣️ The title "Encircled Lands" comes from a Tūhoe description of their ancestral territory as being "enclosed by mountains," reflecting their deep spiritual and physical connection to Te Urewera.