Historical corruption in a ‘non-corrupt’ society: Aotearoa New Zealand

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to reconsider, from a historical perspective, New Zealand’s reputation as a country largely without corruption, with particular reference to the colonial government’s confiscation of Māori land in the 19th century and beyond.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on published historical commentary.FindingsThe findings are that much of the Māori land confiscation was rendered legal for illegitimate purposes, and that the colonial and successive New Zealand governments abrogated the country’s foundational document, the Treaty of Waitangi, signed between the colonial government and many Māori chiefs in 1840. Adverse consequences for Māori have been felt to this day, despite the Treaty settlements process that began with the Māori renaissance in the mid-1970s.Originality/valueThe academic analysis of corruption in New Zealand has seldom if ever adopted this historical perspective.