Story: European ideas about Māori

Māori policeman

Māori policeman

This drawing shows a Māori policeman playing a nose flute in 1850. It recorded the attempt by Governor George Grey to appoint Māori to some official positions in the belief that they could rapidly adopt European ways of life and civil order.

Using this item

Hocken Library, University of Otago
Reference: Acc No. 12,770
Pencil and ink drawing by Cuthbert Charles Clarke

Permission of the Hocken Library Uare Taoka o Hakena, University of Otago, must be obtained before any re-use of this image. Further information may be obtained from the Library through its website.

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How to cite this page:

James Belich, 'European ideas about Māori - Biblical ideas, early 19th century', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/artwork/29875/maori-policeman (accessed 19 March 2024)

Story by James Belich, published 5 May 2011