Colonialism Government actions were typical of the actions of a colonial power and the British expansion of the Empire. As a result they succeeded in destroying the community at Parihaka and the effects of this still resonate today including loss loss of language,cultures and loss of Maraes.
On the fifth of November 1881, 1500 members and volunteers of the Armed Constabulary invaded the peaceful village of Parihaka. The 2000 people of Parihaka welcomed the soldiers, children came out
skipping, adults willingly let themselves be arrested without protest and soldiers were offered food and drink. The riot act was read to Te Whiti and Tohu and they were led away to a mock trial, where they were then locked up in freezing caves in the south Island, along with hundreds of their Parihaka people (see Abuse of Power). The army proceeded to pull down the houses at Parihaka, destroy the crops and slaughter and confiscate thousands of
cattle, pigs and horsesin a matter of weeks.
When the British signed the treaty it was supposed to establish a partnership between British and Maori. Maori certainly did not have equal rights to the British. Historian Graeme Ball quotes: 'Britain definitely did not want to make New Zealand part of its empire.' The actions of the British on the fifth of November make it very hard to believe that they didn't want New Zealand as a part of its empire and establish complete control. From a historians point of view New Zealand was seen as the best example of British colonialism.
A cartoon of the British trying to 'capture' New Zealand