Old New Zealand - Frederick Edward Maning

Published by Golden Press Pty Ltd: Auckland and Christchurch, 1973.
First published 1887.

After reading Poenamo recently, I became quite keen to read some more older New Zealand texts. Then last weekend a friend invited Elise and I to a weekend away in Golden Bay. Of course, the first thing I look at when away for a weekend is what the bookshelves hold... and this one leapt out at me. 

Like John Logan Campbell (the author of Poenamo) Maning lived in New Zealand in the days before European settlement had really taken hold, but whereas Campbell spent only a small portion of his time (and his book) living in a Maori village, Maning becomes a 'Pakeha Maori', spending the majority of his time (and his book) among the Maori people. 

Maning has a slightly eccentric writing style. He has a flair for words but also distracts himself in his narrative, following his tangents as far as he can before returning to his original point. He does this with humour and clear intent to do so, making the book a very odd beast. Although unwieldy, it is well written in some ways, and very interesting, particularly in the insights it offers to the Maori culture in the times leading up to European settlement. Maning loves the Maori people and culture, while also commenting on things that his readers will find foreign. He criticises aspects of Maoridom while still defending them, and is even vaguely conflicted on what he hopes will happen going forward.

He is also good at communicating the differences between Maori and European culture, even admitting to his own failings (particularly in his early days) to understand the significance, or offensiveness, of his occasional faux pas. From a modern perspective, it is interesting to have Maning's observations regarding the decline of the Maori population following the introduction of the musket, but also to see his belief that the Maori population had also declined greatly in recent pre-European times, and his reasons for that belief.

I had to leave the edition that I read in the bach at the end of the weekend away. If I ever find another copy, I'll also read the final section of the book, which is another (short) work by Maning focussing on the early New Zealand wars. However, having read Old New Zealand proper, I'm glad I can add it to my list. 

I really enjoyed it.

Completed 20 June 2021.

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