These statistics suggest some larger conclusions about the character and values of 

New Zealand's founding Pakeha population: 

Persistence over time: The persistence of certain areas as a source of migrants to 

New Zealand suggests the importance of the process of chain migration in the peopling 

of New Zealand. Many migrants came to join family members; others came because they 

had received regular letters from friends in New Zealand. To this extent immigration

 was not quite as socially or psychologically disruptive as may at first appear. 

People came in groups and joined existing networks in the new country. 

A tradition of versatility: It has often been said that the famous 'number 8 fencing 

wire' versatility of New Zealanders derived from the peculiar conditions of the 

frontier. But many who came to New Zealand were already from a background where 

they combined occupations and lived an unspecialised life both working on traditional

 crafts and tending a small plot of land. They were already highly versatile people. 

When they came to New Zealand they immediately searched out additional sources of 

living — through fishing, hunting or tending a vegetable garden. 

Suspicion of the city: Many of the immigrants came from rural and pre-industrial 

families and they chose to migrate to a new country rather than move to British 

cities and work in factories. This may suggest that they came to New Zealand highly 

suspicious of the city and determined to prevent the new society suffering the evils 

of industrialism. 

Importance of land: Because of their rural backgrounds, many immigrants to New Zealand 

looked to the new country to provide an independent living on the land. The small 

land-holder, independent and 'free' became a central ideal, and the immigrants looked 

with longing on two groups who had land in New Zealand — the indigenous Maori and the 

large estate-holders. 

Attitude to Government: Many immigrants came to New Zealand as assisted migrants paid 

for by Government. This may have predisposed them to see Government as a source of 

assistance in other matters. 

A multi-cultural community: Those who came to New Zealand in the 19th century came 

from very distinctive areas and distinctive rural backgrounds. They brought with 

them their own languages, foods, drinks and cultural traditions. In this sense New 

Zealand was a multi-cultural community from the outset. There was a minority of 

immigrants from the South-east of England, and a majority from the Celtic fringe of 

Scotland, Ireland and Cornwall, yet the culture of the home counties area came to be 

of great importance in New Zealand. One reason for this is that from the end of the 

century the New Zealand school system began to promote a strong English public school 

culture — in the playing of rugby and cricket, in the literature and history which was 

taught, in the manners which were inculcated. New Zealanders came to think of 

themselves as inheritors of the English imperial tradition. Home county culture became 

important to New Zealand values and the regional rural cultures of Greater Britain and 

Ireland originally present in New Zealand were increasingly overlaid. 

Thanks to:
http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/Gallery/brit-nz/sowhat.htm