ABSTRACT
Dr Edward Shortland (1812-1893) was a Cambridge-educated physician from a Devonshire naval family. He was Sub-Protector of Aborigines in New Zealand from 1842 until 1846. His three main tasks were: to mediate disputes between Europeans and Māori; to accustom Māori to English law; and to protect Māori land rights against claims from settlers. Māori readily collaborated with the sub-protector in the mediation of their conflicts with Europeans, while Europeans were not always willing to work with him and sometimes tried to evade justice. Māori were also quite open to learning about English law. Māori land rights, however, proved to be complicated and the investigation of land sales was a lengthy process, to the frustration of European settlers. Shortland left the country in January 1846, although he would return to New Zealand on several occasions. He published four books and several articles on Māori customs and language; he was an intelligent and persistent advocate for Māori rights. Shortland was one of the earliest European experts on Māori traditions, customary practices, religious attitudes, and relationships with land.
