* Early estimates: The first European settlers arrived in 1642, but European population growth was slow for many years. Māori population estimates in the 1700s range from 100,000 to 200,000, while European numbers were in the hundreds.
* Population shifts: The Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840, leading to increased European migration. However, Māori population was significantly impacted by European diseases and conflict, leading to a decline in their numbers.
* Official Census: The first official census in New Zealand was conducted in 1858, recording 59,634 Europeans and 56,000 Māori.
* Continued Growth: European population continued to grow rapidly throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, fueled by immigration and a higher birth rate.
Therefore, it's more accurate to say that Europeans surpassed Māori in population sometime between the 1850s and the early 1860s. The exact year is uncertain due to the lack of accurate population data during that period.
It's crucial to note that this shift in population demographics was significantly impacted by the consequences of colonization, including disease, conflict, and land confiscation, which disproportionately affected the Māori population.