Wars Without End: The Land Wars in Nineteenth-century New Zealand

From the earliest days of European settlement in New Zealand, argues historian Danny Keenan, Maori struggled to hold on to their land.

Tensions began early, arising from disputed land sales. When open conflict between Maori and Imperial forces broke out in the 1840s and 1860s, the struggles intensified. For both sides, land was at the heart of the conflict. When the fighting was over, the 'wars' for land spilled into the courts.

This is the first book to approach this subject from a Maori point of view, focusing on the Maori resolve to maintain possession of customary lands. Written by a senior Maori historian, Wars Without End describes the Maori reasons for fighting the 'Land Wars', placing these conflicts in the context of the Maori struggle to retain their sovereign estates.

In this revised edition, the author has substantially reworked and expanded sections covering the Waikato wars.