ABSTRACT
This paper seeks to undertake an initial exploration of the implications of certain approach to the New Zealand experience in the middle of the nineteenth century. It begins from the intuition, generated from the history books, that compared to the Australian experience revealed by R. Maddock and I. McLean, the New Zealand impact was initially far less in scope and in the longer run far less lasting. The chapter attempts at a brief examination of endogenous economic explanations for initial gold discoveries in the New Zealand case. It discusses the longest by far, represents an initial attempt at assessing the impact of the New Zealand rushes, to the extent that the available evidence permits. The chapter draws together some general conclusions and points the way to work remaining to be done. The findings concerning the importance of international migration in the Australian case are repeated and enhanced in the subsequent New Zealand experience.
