New Zealand - history

New Zealand was first populated by tribes of Polynesians around 1.000 years ago. The first Europeans to land on this islands were Dutch explorers who are also responsible for the name of the country. They named the islands Nova Zeelandia after the Dutch region.
When James Cook arrived to these islands in his voyage 1768-1771 he anglicized the name transforming it into what we know today as New Zealand. The Maori aboriginals trade with the Europeans from which they borrowed the potato and the musket that modified for good their agriculture and warfare.

James Cook

Because the islands had no regulation at all and the French were more and more interested in colonizing it, the British decided in 1840 to send a Governor. This was the first documented paper on the existence of New Zealand. 
The first capital was Okiato in 1940, moved right next year in 1841 to Auckland, which is the actual biggest city. Between 1860 and 1870 fights for land were waged between the European colonists, more and more as number and local Maori.

Maori flag

In 1893 New Zealand became the first nation to allow women to vote. In 1907 New Zealand became a Dominion in the Commonwealth, wand 40 years obtained the independence from the Great Britain. However economical relations are still very strong and traditional routes are settled between these 2 countries.

Good points: relative stable politician and social climate, no wars waged on New Zealand's teritory
Weak points: very short history, no important historical events or characters, short period time of independence.

My grade for this category is 4.