By Roger Childs

Most people see James Cook as an iconic figure whose legacy in New Zealand is a modern, progressive, multi-cultural society. However, a small number of Maori extremists see him as a negative influence and claim he committed many crimes against the Polynesian inhabitants of the time. They do not disclose any evidence or sources and their case is flimsy at best.

In 1768, the barque Endeavour, captained by James Cook, sailed out of the English port of Plymouth in Devon. Its destination was the island of Tahiti, with the purpose of studying the 1769 transit of Venus.  However, he was also instructed to do much more. This would be the first of three epic voyages to the Pacific and in the process Cook would visit every continent on the planet. 

First landfall

You are … to observe the Genius, Temper, Disposition and Number of the Natives, if there be any and endeavour by all proper means to cultivate a Friendship and Alliance with them, making them presents of such Trifles as they may Value inviting them to Traffick, and Shewing them every kind of Civility and Regard… –Secret instructions to Captain Cook 

Following his instructions, Cook established friendly relations with the people of Tahiti in 1769 and he was hopeful of doing the same with the people of New Zealand. Unfortunately the Natives he met in what he would call Poverty Bay on October 8, were aggressive when he first landed and on the following day.  As a result of the hostility and misunderstandings over ownership and theft, six Maori were killed. 

He did however establish good relations with the Natives in other parts of the country.

Cook’s achievements

 James Cook and botanist Joseph Banks introduced new animals and plants to the country, and their widely disseminated journals told the world about the nature and resources of New Zealand.

As a result of his explorations, the work of scientists on board, and the paintings of the official artists, the lands around the world’s biggest ocean became known throughout Europe and America. So it was inevitable that the exploitation of New Zealand’s resources by European people would follow, as well as settlement and governance.

The Treaty of Waitangi and western development saved Maori from possible extinction. The Treaty ended the endemic inter-tribal warfare which may have killed as many as 40,000–50,000 in the first four decades of the nineteenth century. As a consequence of the Treaty, Maori women were freed from a life of insecurity where rape, abduction, slavery and murder following battles, were common.

There were breaches of the Treaty on both sides in the years following, mainly by Maori, but ultimately the people descended from the early Polynesian migrants have benefitted from the colonisation, economic growth, infrastructure development and social progress that were the long-term outcomes of Cook’s comprehensive reports on the country.

Over the last 200 years Maori people has had access to the cash economy, modern housing, hospitals, schools, retail outlets, transport, entertainment, sport and technology.

A great man who had a huge impact

Cook’s arrival in New Zealand is one of the most important events in our history. His charting or our shores and the reports, paintings and sketches from his three voyages set in train the modern development of the nation. 

It is very appropriate that we should remember the iconic English explorer on the occasion of his 296^th birthday.