Here's a breakdown of what happened:
* Background: The Moriori people were a Polynesian group who settled on the Chatham Islands (Rēkohu) around 1500 CE. They developed a pacifistic culture and lived in relative isolation. The Māori, on the other hand, were a more warlike people who had developed a strong maritime culture and were expanding their territory throughout New Zealand.
* Arrival of the Māori: In 1835, a group of Māori, led by a man named Te Taniwha, arrived on the Chatham Islands. They were motivated by a desire for land, resources, and possibly revenge for past interactions between the two groups.
* The Massacre: The Māori, despite knowing the Moriori people's pacifistic ways, initiated a violent attack on the indigenous population. The attack was swift and brutal, resulting in the massacre of hundreds of Moriori people. Those who survived were forced into slavery or driven into hiding.
* Aftermath: The Moriori people never fully recovered from this invasion. Their population dwindled significantly, their culture was decimated, and their land was stolen. This event remains a tragic chapter in the history of both groups, highlighting the consequences of colonization and the impact of violence on indigenous populations.
It's important to note that the term "conflict" is often used to describe these events, but it's not accurate. The Moriori people were caught completely unprepared and unable to defend themselves, making it more of a one-sided massacre than a conflict.