Rare New Zealand War Books from the 1800s You Can Still Read Today
The Rare Books collection within the Ngaa Koorero Tuku Iho/Archives & Reference holds valuable information on the New Zealand Wars that occurred circa 1845-1870. Rare books can be identified by their age, limited supply, uniqueness or hold other significant value. Items within this collection relating to the New Zealand Wars hold value as these items contain a firsthand account of the events that occurred within a defining era of New Zealand history.
It does however need to be noted that items held on this topic, are accounts from the colonial European perspective, and therefore are missing Maaori views and experiences within this period. Resources of the New Zealand War from the Maaori perspective can be found within other areas of our collection.
The late war in New Zealand (1863), written by Lieutenant Col Carey.
This memoir provides a narrative of Carey’s, experience in the New Zealand War between 1860-1861 in Taranaki. Carey discusses the origin and military operations of the war, noting “his exclusion from the justice and policy of the quarrel”.
“Incidents of the Māori War” (1863), by Colonel Sir James E Alexander
The book provides an account of being in the Second Battalion of the 14th Regiment ordered from Ireland to the conflict based within Taranaki, New Zealand between 1860 and 1861.
“Some Home Truths Re the Māori War on The West Coast of New Zealand” (1901) by Lieutenant Col Edward Gorton
Lieutenant Gorton writes about his experience of the New Zealand War on the West Coast of New Zealand between 1863 and 1869. In his account he reports of his disapproval of the then Governors conduct on policy and military operations.
“Reminiscences of the War of New Zealand” (1879) by Thomas W. Gudgeon
He provides an account of the battles, campaigns and expeditions conducted across the North Island, including, Waikato and the King Country.
The Hamilton Rare Book collection is available on request, please ask one of our friendly librarians if you would like to view any of these items.
A collection of rare books at the library
