French immigration to New Zealand began in the 1830s when French whalers began visiting the coasts. Captain Langlois decided the South Island would be perfect for France to colonize after a successful whaling expedition. The first French settlement was established in 1840 in Akaroa. Initially, the local Māori welcomed the French settlers but tensions rose as more British settlers arrived seeking to colonize New Zealand. Today, Akaroa still retains aspects of its French cultural heritage in street names and cafes.

1. French Immigration To NZ By Vicky

2. Why Did They Come Here? The whaling was good.

3. They wanted to colonize NZ.

4. NZ wasn't colonized by anyone at that time.

5. When did they come? In 1838 Captain Jean Francois Langlois a french whaler was commanding the whaling ship ' Cachalot' off the coast of NZ and Australia. While there he caught 45 whales in 22 months. Captain Langlois decided that NZ's south island would be perfect for France to colonize.

6. There were many other french migrants around that time,The first French arrival was Captain Jean François Marie de Surville, who brought the St Jean Baptiste on a trading expedition in 1769. His first sighting of New Zealand was of the Hokianga; from there he sailed around North Cape to Doubtless Bay, but he eventually left under a shadow of misunderstanding with Māori in the area.