Extract from a Despatch from Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to his Grace the Duke of Buckingham.

In continuation of my previous despatches respecting the present condition of the Maoris, I have the honour to transmit herewith a map, showing the distribution of the several Native tribes in New Zealand. With trifling exceptions, they are all resident in the Northern Island. I annex a nominal list of these clans, and of the principal chiefs, together with a statement of the estimated number of each tribe at the present time, and of its attitude, whether loyal or hostile to the Government, with other explanatory remarks….

It will be perceived that the total Maori population is estimated now, in 1868, at 38,517; of which number all except from 1,500 to 2,000 reside in the Northern Island. Ten years ago, in 1858, a Government census returned the total Maori population at 56,049; twenty years ago, in 1848; the Maoris were estimated at about 100,000.

The causes which have contributed to produce this rapid and deplorable decay have been discussed at length by several writers of ability and local experience. I would refer more particularly to the works of Mr. Fox, formerly Prime Minister of this colony; and of Dr. A. S. Thompson, who was resident in New Zealand for many years as surgeon to the 58th Regiment. Mr. Fox shows that the gradual disappearance of the Maoris is not to be attributed in any large degree to their intercourse with Europeans, for "that, for the most part, has led to the adoption of better food, better dwellings; better general habits of life." … "The one great cause has been, and is, their utter disregard of all those social and sanitary conditions which are essential to the continuing vitality of the human race. This cause was in existence long before there was a European in the Islands, and there is little doubt that the race was on the decrease when Cook first landed there." Dr. Thompson observes: "The extinction of aboriginal races has been often caused by evil treatment. The bauds of the early settlers in America, the West Indies, Tasmania, Australia, and Africa, are not clean from this imputation; but, as far as the story of New Zealand has yet been unrolled, the pioneers of civilization and the majority of English, Irish, and Scotch settlers in the Islands have, with some few exceptions, acted towards the Natives in a spirit of Christianity unknown to the Saxon colonists in Ireland, the Norman invaders of England, or the Spanish conquerors of America."

It is to be hoped that the general restoration of peace, and the prohibition of intertribal wars; the gradual individualization of property in land now held in common; the progress of trade and friendly intercourse between the European settlers and the Maoris; the increasing use of animal food and wheaten flour; the schools, hospitals, roads, and other institutions by means of which the Colonial Government is endeavouring to promote the civilization of the Natives, will all contribute to arrest the further decay of the surviving remnant of a most interesting race.