View article

Comments on stature appear frequently in early European accounts of the Maori. Thus, for example, Cook wrote" The Natives of this Country are a Strong, raw-boned, well made, Active People, rather above than under the common size, especially the Men",(l) and Banks:" The men are of the size of the larger Europeans, stout, clean-limbed and active'\(2) Earle, a later visitor," examined these savages, as they crowded round our decks, with the critical eye of an artist; they were generally taller and larger men than ourselves...".(3) Du Clesmeur wrote:" The New-Zea landers are generally tall and well made; men of 6ft. high are by no means uncommon".(4)

These comments refer more particularly to the Maori men. The" com mon size" of male Europeans of that era can be estimated from various records. It certainly was less than their average stature today. For example, in the period 1836-40 the average height of …