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Story: New Zealand identity

'Sauvages de la Nouvelle Zélande' (savages of New Zealand)

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'Sauvages de la Nouvelle Zélande' (savages of New Zealand)

This engraving by Emile Rouargue illustrated a scene said to have been witnessed on Dumont d'Urville's voyage of exploration to New Zealand in 1826–27. The scene is of Māori engaging in a cannibal feast with the heads of two enemies on poles to the left. Such images reinforced New Zealand's reputation in Europe as a dangerous place peopled by bloodthirsty 'savages'.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library

Reference: PUBL-0040-01

by Emile Rouargue

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Fiona Barker, New Zealand identity – New Zealand’s peoples, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/34616/sauvages-de-la-nouvelle-zelande-savages-of-new-zealand (accessed 5 June 2026).

Story by Fiona Barker, published 17 April 2012.