Who was the Earliest White European and Acknowledged to Settle Stay IN Nz
Their have been quite a few named as the first European to settle in NZ + in quite a few different places also . The " Ngapuhi " elders still speak of a handed down story from Generation to Generation of a Pakeha / European
an escaped convict / sailor from an Australian vessel that was near the coast of the BAY of ISLANDS they hid / sheltered this Pakeha for many years .Eventually one of their chief's - daughter became his partner And their children inherited land given to them by the " Ngapui " The Tribe's oral specially selected to remember + recall their great facts / etc / history of the " Ngapuhi " tell that the event happened in about 1804 . I can find no other, at this point in time, of any other European settling / hiding --any where in NZ anywhere near that date . Who was this person . ???? His surname was " Cavanagh " + his given name- Either John or James . Quite often we hear about the early whalers being the first at a far later date. IT is also told that " CAVANAGH " was very instramental in advising them on the purchase of muskets and how to use them . IT appears this one of the reasons the 'Ngapuhi " tribe had muskets earlier than other tribes in New Zealand .
ok Arnold, this is not the forum for this. This is a genealogy site.
You are looking for a debate on this subject which has been 'hashed about' for years. I'm sure you are well aware of the earlier Pakeha Maori, Thomas Taylor who was probably the original back in 1798. He had a Maori partner, was closely associated with the Ngati Paoa chief Te Haupa and even accompanied Hauraki war parties for more than 3 years. James Cavanagh, a convict from NSW jumped ship in 1804. There was Jacky Marmon, Frederick Maning in Hokianga, John Rutherford in the Bay of Island, Barnet Burns on the east coast. As I say, wrong forum and we can debate this elsewhere. If you are looking for your ancestors please give details of names, dates etc and someone will try to help