Jan 1838Police massacre Aboriginesat Waterloo Creek
May–Oct 1838French raid Chathamsafter Māori destroywhaler Jean Bart
Jun 1838Stockmen massacreAborigines at Myall Creek
May 1839–Jul 1841Eyre explores South Australiaand crosses Nullarbor Plain
Jun 1839Limits of NSW extendedto New Zealand
Jan 1840NZ Company settlersarrive in Cook Strait
6 Feb 1840British sign Treaty of Waitangiwith northern Māori chiefs