2024/02/12 by Simon Chapple · 1 voice · 2 citations
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Economics, Econometrics and Finance · Social Sciences · #Archaeology and ancient environmental studies #New Zealand Economic and Social Studies #Pacific and Southeast Asian Studies
paper · doi:10.1111/aehr.12281
openalex publication_date 2024/02/12 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
Abstract This research considers the current New Zealand conventional wisdom of a Māori contact‐era population of 100,000 circa‐1770 using a variety of population density analogues. The first set of analogues examines estimated population densities of six districts in early‐contact period New Zealand for which reasonable population estimates can be constructed using methods of historical demography. The second set examines estimated population densities of pre‐industrial societies on large, relatively isolated temperate islands outside of New Zealand. The density research indicates that a contact‐era Māori population in excess of 200,000 is a distinct possibility. Based on this density analysis the current conventional wisdom's figure of 100,000 appears to be—considerably—on the low side, and suggesting considerable catastrophic early post‐contact population decline.