Scottishness and Irishness in New Zealand Since 1840

by McCarthy, Angela

• ISBN13: 9780719077616
• ISBN10: 0719077613
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2010-10-12
• Publisher: OXFORD UNIV PR

Summary

This book examines the distinctive aspects that insiders and outsiders perceived as characteristic of Irish and Scottish ethnic identities in New Zealand. When, how, and why did Irish and Scots identify themselves and others in ethnic terms? What characteristics did the Irish and the Scots attribute to themselves and what traits did others assign to them? Did these traits change over time and if so how? Contemporary interest surrounding issues of ethnic identities is vibrant. In countries such as New Zealand, descendants of European settlers are seeking their ethnic origins, spurred on in part by factors such as an ongoing interest in indigenous genealogies, the burgeoning appeal of family history societies, and the booming financial benefits of marketing ethnicities abroad. This fascinating book will appeal to scholars and students of the history of empire and the construction of identity in settler communities, as well as those interested in the history of New Zealand.

Author Biography

Angela McCarthy is Professor of Scottish and Irish History at the University of Otago and Associate Director of the University's Centre for Irish and Scottish Studies

Table of Contents

Introduction * Historiography * Categories of Identity * Language and Accent * Material Tokens of Ethnicity * Religion, Politics, and History * National Characteristics * Impressions of New Zealand and Maori * Conclusion * Bibliography