The significance the Indian Mutiny had on New Zealand

New Zealand was and still to this very day, are under British rule. As a result, if an imperial crisis strikes out, it will definitely impact Britain’s other colonies just like New Zealand. Consequently, due to Britain’s Colony, India, fighting against the British rule in 1857, New Zealand was significantly impacted despite it from being tens of thousands of kilometers from the actual event. Thus, the Indian Mutiny possesses a significant factor to New Zealand’s history.

The aftermath of the Indian Mutiny was not pretty for British colonies such as New Zealand. Because of the Indian Mutiny, the British became paranoid as they thought the events and actions which occurred in India in 1857 would have consequently encouraged other colonies to do the same thing. As a result, Britain developed skepticism against the indigenous colonies – particularly the Maori in New Zealand. Digging further into Bender’s comprehensive document, he quoted that during the implications for Imperial Governance, ‘reports of another “Cawnpore” circulated among British troops sent to suppress Maori resistance, and colonists expressed frustration with current native policy.” This quote by Bender proves that colonial governors/officials such as in New Zealand indicated the fear that indigenous colonies in particular, took inspiration into India’s rebellion and would rebel also. In addition, to prevent this from happening, the British began to send British troops to suppress Maori resistance – using force to maintain British control. This caused the tempers between New Zealand and Britain to flare and their relationship quickly escalated into conflict such as the Taranaki Wars. What makes the Indian Mutiny significant to New Zealand is that the negative driven relationship developed between New Zealand and Britain were contributing factors to how New Zealand is today which was ultimately a monumental moment in New Zealand history as the aftermath of these conflicts resulted in a changed attitude towards the Maori on how they are dealt on a colonial standpoint.

Building further onto the Bender’s statement that the Indian Mutiny built exceptional experience to help develop British officers and settlers such as Sir George Grey which allowed him to be appointed colonial governors and exercise their skills and experiences from both pre-owned and also from the Indian Mutiny to future imperial crisis. Some British officer’s rank were sought to be promoted when the Taranaki Wars ie the Parihaka Attack (1860 – 1863) erupted.

A war that broke out in New Zealand due to the disagreements between the British and the Maori as the British were starting to be skeptic to indigenous colonies – the Maori. As a result, due to Sir George Grey’s heavy contributions during the Indian Mutiny where he was the governor of the Cape Colony and did an excellent job of ‘supplying resources’ for the British efforts in India, he indirectly displayed to the British his ‘intense popularity among the colonists’ and his ‘ability to suppress the threat of native resistance.’ Consequently, he was elected by British administration to become the governor of New Zealand. Without Sir George Grey’s compelling leadership and aggressive nature, it is questionable that the Taranaki Wars could have concluded in peace. Like it was said, that Sir George Grey was to ultimately “make peace between the two parties through his mana and authority.” Ultimately, the events during the Indian Mutiny developed many methods of management and resulted Britain in producing many officials and settlers with a change in mindset and leadership with a more proactive and aggressive approach. This revolutionary change within the British Crown consequently calmed the uproars of imperial crisis’ such as the Taranaki Wars and were prepared to confront future rebellions by all means necessary.

Another interesting fact post Indian Mutiny was that a lot of veterans of military service in India immigrated to New Zealand (see below). Most of them decided to live the rest of their life in New Zealand spanning from Canterbury to Auckland. Furthermore, one notable Indian Mutiny alumni, John Cracroft Wilson who also immigrated to New Zealand was later appointed to the House of Representatives for the electorates of Christchurch, Coleridge and Heathcote. As a result, this shows that even after the Mutiny, Cracroft Wilson were just one of the many Indian Mutiny alumni that continued their careers by settling to New Zealand and impacting New Zealand using their experiences during their times in India ie House of Representatives, politics and culture.