Backbencher

The main focus of this lecture was to compare and contrast the colonization of Australia and New Zealand. The most obvious similarity was that both countries were colonized mainly by the British. Although there were a few notable exceptions, Australian settlers were initially convicts and soldiers. It was a common myth that many convicts were transported for petty offences, some of which were described in the song "Botany Bay". In reality, those that were sentenced to transportation were usually hardened criminals.

In contrast, the settlements that were erected throughout New Zealand were planned colonies in order to establish a better British lifestyle. The British government and religious officials wished to create an environment of high moral standards in order to prevent the problems of crime and indecency that Australia was experiencing. Some of these colonies, such as the one that is now the city of Wellington, were created by the British government. Both the Church of Scotland and the Church of England created colonies which are now the areas of Otago and Canterbury respectively.

The most interesting aspect of this lecture was the point that many Australians take pride in their criminal heritage as long as it is far enough removed from them by time. Although this seemed odd to me at first, I realized that I have done this in my own life as well and I can certainly see how it might make for an intriguing conversation starter. I was left wondering however, what the New Zealanders thought of their beginnings. Do they feel that their society is somehow better than Australia's due to their origins of a higher moral society?