In the 19th century, New Zealand's colonists, mostly young working-class males, left a lasting impact on the culture by forming crews and rejecting English class structures. The government's actions, including the Native Land Court, led to the loss of Maori land, poverty, and decline in the Maori population.

The chapter discusses the government's efforts to acquire Maori land through the establishment of the Native Land Court, aiming to dismantle Maori communal ownership and facilitate colonization. It highlights the challenges faced by Maori as their traditional way of life and land ownership came under threat.

The Native Lands Act of 1865 introduced collective ownership of Maori land, leading to disputes and loss of rights among Maori communities. The Act undermined traditional tribal decision-making systems and exposed Maori to exploitation in land transactions.

Maori were promised roads and schools in exchange for land, but these promises were often forgotten after land ownership changed hands, leading to a significant transfer of land to Parker in 1865. The process of selling land was costly for Maori due to various expenses, court hearings held far from their settlements, and provisions charged at exorbitant rates.

The Supreme Court ruling in the Ngati Toa land dispute case involving widow Mu Parata highlighted the dismissal of the Treaty of Waitangi as worthless and deemed Maori as incapable of understanding complex agreements. Justice James Prendergast infamously declared the treaty as a mere nullity, emphasizing the perceived superiority of the civilized nation over Maori.

In the late 19th century, resistance against land loss in New Zealand was exemplified by the peaceful Maori settlement of Parihaka, which stood against unjust confiscations and land sales. Despite government crackdowns and arrests, the community at Parihaka remained steadfast in their non-violent resistance.