Unpacking the Kists: The Scots in New Zealand

Brad Patterson · Tom Brooking · Jim McAloon

Nov 2013 · McGill-Queen's Studies in Ethnic History Book 11 · McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP

About this ebook

Historians have suggested that Scottish influences are more pervasive in New Zealand than in any other country outside Scotland, yet curiously New Zealand's Scots migrants have previously attracted only limited attention. A thorough and interdisciplinary work, Unpacking the Kists is the first in-depth study of New Zealand's Scots migrants and their impact on an evolving settler society. The authors establish the dimensions of Scottish migration to New Zealand, the principal source areas, the migrants' demographic characteristics, and where they settled in the new land. Drawing from extended case-studies, they examine how migrants adapted to their new environment and the extent of longevity in diverse areas including the economy, religion, politics, education, and folkways. They also look at the private worlds of family, neighbourhood, community, customs of everyday life and leisure pursuits, and expressions of both high and low forms of transplanted culture. Adding to international scholarship on migrations and cultural adaptations, Unpacking the Kists demonstrates the historic contributions Scots made to New Zealand culture by retaining their ethnic connections and at the same time interacting with other ethnic groups.

About the author

Brad Patterson was formerly director of the Irish-Scottish studies program at the Victoria University of Wellington.

Tom Brooking is professor of history at the University of Otago.

Jim McAloon is associate professor of history at the Victoria University of Wellington.