The New Zealand Land Company, a commercial enterprise formed in Britain and supported by the British Government, dispatched an expedition to establish its second NZ settlement, to be named Nelson, in 1841.

The Company had developed principles to avoid the disastrous consequences of European settlement which had been experienced by native peoples in North America and Australia: all land was to be purchased from the Māori owners, one-tenth of all land purchased for European settlement was to be set aside for the future prosperity of the Māori vendors, and Māori were to continue to own all their habitations, cultivations and special sites. The land to be set aside for the vendors was to be spread throughout the European lands so that Māori could participate in the new economy and would grow rich as the settlement grew rich.

The Treaty of Waitangi between the British Crown and Māori chiefs signed on 6 February 1840 stated that Māori land could be purchased only when Māori wished to sell, and that only the Crown could buy Māori land.

Unfortunately neither the New Zealand Company’s admirable principles nor the Treaty of Waitangi were honoured by European Governors or Governments.