Sketch Map of the North Island of New Zealand. Native Tribal Boundaries

Defence map of New Zealand’s North Island showing Māori iwi (tribal) boundaries, confiscated land, location of armed police and military bases, and where gold was found, created in response to the Waikato Maori Wars. The map shows the more than 1.2 Million acres of land confiscated in the Waikato, home of the Maori king, Tāwhiao. The confiscations were made under the New Zealand Settlements Act 1863, without compensation, from any North Island tribe said to be ‘in rebellion against Her Majesty’s authority’. Under the provisions of this act Te Āti Awa lost all their Taranaki lands. The short title of the act, ‘New Zealand Settlements’, referred to the intention to introduce new settlers onto the lands, but it somewhat disguised its real purpose which was confiscation. By 1939, almost 100 years after the Treaty was signed, Māori retained just 1 percent of the South Island and 9 percent of the North Island. Land losses continued as the 20th century progressed, again supported by legislation.