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Biography: Dieffenbach, Johann Karl Ernst

An artist's impression of an encounter between Māori and Pākehā, 1841

An artist's impression of an encounter between Māori and Pākehā, 1841

Johann Karl Ernst Dieffenbach published his impressions of New Zealand and its inhabitants, Travels in New Zealand, in 1843. An illustration from the book shows him (left, wearing a brimmed hat and cloak) and a companion being addressed by the chief Te Waro (Te Waru), who is surrounded by his people.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library

Reference: A-259-010

Lithograph by Joseph Jenner Merrett

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.

How to cite this page

Denis McLean. 'Dieffenbach, Johann Karl Ernst', Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, first published in 1990. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/397/an-artists-impression-of-an-encounter-between-maori-and-pakeha-1841 (accessed 4 June 2026).