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New Zealand and Australia were both explored and colonized by the British, but they were separate endeavors. The colonization of New Zealand was more independent and distinct from that of Australia. Different British officials and entities were responsible for the colonization of these two regions, resulting in separate administrative and governance structures.
The Tasman Sea, which separates New Zealand from Australia, posed a significant geographic barrier. The distance between the two countries made communication and travel between them relatively challenging during the colonial era. This geographic separation contributed to the development of distinct identities and institutions in each country.
New Zealand pursued its own path toward self-governance and autonomy, becoming a self-governing British colony in 1852 and later gaining dominion status within the British Empire. This pursuit of self-governance and the development of a distinct identity further separated New Zealand from Australia.
Moreover, in New Zealand, the indigenous Māori people had a well-established society. The interactions between the Māori and the British were different from those between the Indigenous peoples of Australia and the British colonizers. These interactions influenced the trajectories of both countries’ histories and relationships with the British Crown.
Want more? You can learn more about New Zealand and its history from the following books:
