Hobson proclaims British sovereignty over NZ

Lieutenant-Governor William Hobson proclaimed 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.

In May 1840 Māori signatories to the Treaty were still being sought. Hobson’s decision to declare the Crown’s authority over the whole country may have been motivated by rumours that the New Zealand Company was intending to set up its own administration in the Cook Strait region. Hobson’s deputy, Major Thomas Bunbury, proclaimed sovereignty over Stewart Island on 5 June by right of discovery – no Māori could be found there to sign the Treaty.

In late May, Hobson sent Colonial Secretary and Police Magistrate Willoughby Shortland to Port Nicholson (Wellington) to read the proclamation and demand allegiance to the Crown.

New Zealand was a dependency of New South Wales until November 1840, when it became a separate British colony with Hobson as its Governor.

Image: William Hobson