History of New Zealand and its Inhabitants

History of New Zealand and its Inhabitants offers an engaging and provocative narrative from the unique perspective of Dom Felice Vaggioli, an Italian Benedictine monk who was sent to Aotearoa New Zealand during the late 19th century. This English language translation captures Vaggioli's observations and reflections on the lifestyles, customs, and historical events he encountered while serving in Auckland, the Coromandel, and Gisborne between 1879 and 1887. The book delves into significant events, such as the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the conflicts in Taranaki and Waikato, based on first-hand accounts that Vaggioli meticulously gathered.

Upon returning to Italy, Vaggioli published his detailed account in 1896, but the original Italian edition faced heavy censorship and destruction by British authorities due to its critical stance on colonialism and its anti-Protestant sentiments. Despite these efforts to suppress his work, a few copies managed to survive, preserving Vaggioli's unapologetically candid views on the impact of European colonisation on Māori communities.

Nearly a century later, John Crockett, a researcher, discovered this lost treasure while working in the archives of the Auckland Catholic Diocese. Recognising its unique and invaluable perspective on colonisation, Crockett undertook the arduous task of translating Vaggioli’s manuscript into English. His efforts culminated in the publication of this vivid and articulate translation by Otago University Press in 2000. Though it went out of print and became a rare collector's item, its significance endures.

The reprinted 2023 edition, now featuring a striking new cover, reintroduces Vaggioli’s essential narrative to contemporary readers. This edition preserves the lively, sometimes controversial, account of 19th-century New Zealand history and illuminates Māori-Pākehā relations from a viewpoint seldom recognised in mainstream historical discourse. Vaggioli's work stands as an essential resource for anyone interested in the complexities of New Zealand’s colonial past and the enduring consequences of these historical events.