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

3. They wanted to colonize NZ.

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

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.

7. The first truly scientific expedition was led by Louis Isidore Duperrey in April 1824. Duperrey surveyed the bay, met the Maori chief Hongi Hika, and later published his observations.

8. Also on board was Jules Sébastien César Dumont d'Urville, who led a second expedition in 1827. From the West Coast of the South Island he sailed towards Cook Strait, naming French Pass, D’Urville Island and the Croisilles Harbour. He visited for a third time in 1840. Like other French explorers, Dumont d’Urville made a major contribution to the scientific knowledge of New Zealand.

10. In March 1772 Marc Joseph Marion du Fresne sailed the Mascarin into the Bay of Islands. His party made scientific observations, and traded with Maori. A few weeks later, however, Marion du Fresne and others were murdered.

13. history-nz.org/colonisation4.html

14. Google.com

15. Google images

16. Wikipedia