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21 May
1840 Hobson proclaims sovereignty over NZ
Lieutenant-Governor William Hobson proclaimed 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 agreement to the terms of the Treaty was still being sought. Hobson’s decision to declare the Crown’s authority over the whole country may have been motivated by the actions of the New Zealand Company. Hobson had learned of possible moves by the Company 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.
Image: William Hobson
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