dominion day

Dominion status

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  On 26 September 1907 the colony of New Zealand ceased to exist. It became, instead, a dominion within the British Empire.

  Read the full article

• Page 2 – Becoming a dominion

  New Zealand had its own reasons for wanting to become a dominion. Premier Sir Joseph Ward hoped the term ‘dominion’ would remind the world that New Zealand was not

• Page 3 – The first Dominion Day

  The first Dominion Day, 1907, was a holiday for public servants as all government offices closed to mark the occasion.

• Page 4 – Demise of Dominion Day

  Dominion Day, 26 September, never really took hold in New Zealand. Wellington was one of the few places that kept up ceremonies after 1907.

• Page 5 – What changed?

  What changed when New Zealand became a dominion in 1907?

• Page 6 – New Zealand in 1907

  What was New Zealand like at the time of becoming a dominion?

• Page 7 – Dominion status symposium, 2007

  Read and hear the papers from the Dominion status symposium held at  Parliament Buildings on Dominion Day - 26 September 2007

• Page 8 – Further information

  Links and books relating to Dominion Day

Dominion status activities

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  What really changed as a consequence of New Zealand becoming a dominion can inform the debate about the evolution of political independence in New Zealand and 'The growth of New Zealand identity 1890–1980’. 

  Read the full article

• Page 2 – What's in a name? - Dominion status

  Activities that examine some of the arguments for and against New Zealand seeking dominion status

• Page 3 – Examining primary sources - dominion status

  Classroom activities using various media

• Page 4 – Celebrating Dominion Day - dominion status

  Activities examining how Dominion Day was initially celebrated

• Page 5 – Practice essay - dominion status

  Write a practice essay using the feature on dominion status.