Scots in New Zealand

• • The initial success of Scots migration to NZ was based on similarities in climate and farming opportunities

  Example: Sheep were an introduced species and so early farming relied on crops (Duncan brothers, from Forfar, set up major farm equipment business in Christchurch)
• • As a ‘smaller’ colony, with a lower population of white settlers the opportunities for Scots to find a role in public life were greater

  Example: Robert Stout (from Shetland) became Prime Minister and was knighted for his work
• • Some key industries were set up by Scots setters, giving them an important role in a more ‘remote’ environment

  Example: Paper mills in Invercargill (James Bain) were crucial as paper was not easy to import
• • The arguments over land ownership with Maori people and the impact of changing land use

  Example: The removal of sacred Maori artefacts to Scottish museums
• Lieutentant-General Duncan Cameron led a military force of 12 000 British soldiers to the Battle of Rangariri  for which he he was awarded a medal for taking 180 prisoners and killing many more whilst a flag of truce was being waved.
• James McKenzie became notorious as a ‘rustler’ (animal theif) stealing over a thousand sheep from neighbouring farms in the 1850s.
• Neil McLeod joined the newly formed Armed Constabulary and recently published diary extracts from McLeod highlight the inherent racism in the police treatment of Maori people at that time.