Governor to Government

1833
James Busby arrives in the Bay of Islands as British Resident in New Zealand – a junior consular representative with little power.

1834
Northern chiefs gather at Busby's house at Waitangi to choose a ‘Flag of the United Tribe of New Zealand’.

1835
A Declaration of Independence of New Zealand is drawn up by Busby without authorisation from his superiors. This asserts the independence of New Zealand, with all sovereign power and authority resting with the hereditary chiefs and tribes. The declaration is eventually signed by 52 Maori chiefs.

1839
The British government appoints William Hobson as consul to New Zealand, with instructions to obtain sovereignty with the consent of a 'sufficient number' of chiefs.

1840
The Treaty of Waitangi is signed on 6 February by about 40 chiefs. By September another 500 chiefs in different parts of the country have signed. On 21 May Lieutenant-Governor Hobson proclaims British sovereignty over all of New Zealand: over the North Island on the basis of cession through the Treaty of Waitangi, and over the southern islands by right of discovery. New Zealand becomes a dependency of New South Wales, a British Crown Colony whose governor is Sir George Gipps.

1841
New Zealand becomes a separate Crown Colony, ending its connection with New South Wales. Communicating with London takes many months.

1846
New Zealand is divided into two provinces, New Ulster and New Munster.

1852
The New Zealand Constitution Act (UK) establishes a system of representative government for New Zealand. Six (eventually 10) provinces are created, with elected superintendents and councils. At the national level, a General Assembly is established, consisting of a Legislative Council appointed by the Crown and a House of Representatives elected every five years by males over the age of 21 who own, lease or rent property of a certain value.

1853
The House of Representatives' first 37 MPs are elected.

1854
The First Parliament meets in Auckland.

1856
‘Responsible’ government begins in New Zealand, with an executive supported by a majority in House of Representatives. The Governor retains responsibility for defence and Maori affairs.

1858
The Waikato chief Te Wherowhero becomes the first Maori King, taking the name Potatau. The rise of Te Kingitanga reflects Maori desires for a leader to unite the tribes, protect land from further sales and make laws for Maori.

1864
The colonial government asserts its responsibility for Maori affairs.

1867
Four Maori parliamentary seats are created (initially as a temporary measure for five years), with universal suffrage for Maori males over 21. The first Maori elections are held in 1868.

1876
The provinces are abolished, leaving central government as the single legislative authority. Hundreds of local bodies soon come into being.

1879
Universal suffrage is introduced for all males over 21.

1893
Universal suffrage introduced for women over 21 (including Maori). New Zealand becomes the first self-governing country to grant the right to vote to all adult women.

1900
New Zealand claims the Cook Islands and annexes several other territories in the early twentieth century.