Developments in the 1830s

Beyond the lawBefore 1840, the British government had no legal power to protect its citizens while they were in New Zealand — nor could it make peoples obey British laws. This was a problem. Maori, British traders, and missionaries all expressed their dissatisfaction.

Not their business

The British government wanted to keep out of this country's affairs as much as possible. It knew that asserting British sovereignty would be costly and lead to rapid settlement. Experience in other British colonies showed that native people suffered when foreign settlers came in.

A no-win situation

In 1830 there was an especially violent incident involving both Maori and Pakeha. The British government agreed to send James Busby to New Zealand as 'British Resident' in 1832. He was to prevent Pakeha mistreating Maori,

protect law-abiding Paheka, and catch escaped convicts.

However, New Zealand was an independent territory, outside British law. Busby had no legal powers and no military force. At best he was a mediator.

A Flag to Fly

The British government also told Busby to work with Maori leaders to get a 'settled form of government'. In March 1834 he held a meeting for local rangatira (chiefs) where they chose a flag for NZ-made ships to fly.

This let Maori sail to Australia and sell their produce there.

The Baron of Hokianga?

A flag to fly. The British government also instructed Busby to work with Maori leaders towards a 'settled form of government'. In March 1834, he held a meeting of local rangatira (chiefs) and they chose a flag for New Zealand-built ships to fly. The flag still has symbolic importance today.The first New Zealand flag flying at the Bay of Islands in 1834, watercolour by Edward Markham, 1834, National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa, Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington (Ref:MS-1550-120)

Making their moveIn 1839 a British group called the New Zealand Company firmed up plans to buy land here and send hundreds of settlers. Now, the British Government decided it had to take responsibility.

Hobson was commissioned to return, this time to negotiate a treaty with Maori, allowing the British government to assert sovereignty over all or part of New Zealand.

fiketA.4 Ai,

The New Zealand Company ships Tory and Cuba meet in Cook Strait, with four more settler ships close behind. Pencil sketch by Charles Heaphy, 1840, National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa, Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington (Ref: A-145-010)

James Busby

The Declaration of Independence

Charles de Thierry, a Frenchman, claimed to have bought land in Hokianga and wrote a letter to Busby saying he was going to set up an independent country there. Busby knew he had to do something to stop de Thierry.

Declaration of independence

Busby called together local rangatira late in 1835.Thirtyfour Maori leaders — calling themselves the Confederation of United Tribes — signed 'A Declaration of the Independence of New Zealand'. This asked the British Crown to recognise the country's independence and protect it. The British government acknowledged the Declaration.

No further steps were taken towards a united Maori government, but Busby continued to collect signatures on the Declaration until August 1839 — when the total was fifty-two.

Getting desperate

In 1837, intertribal fighting that also involved Pakeha broke out in the Bay of Islands. Busby asked the British government to help. They sent a naval captain, William Hobson, to investigate.

Hobson knew his government didn't want to intervene. He reported back, saying the best idea would be British control over small areas, like councils. He said this would limit the impact on Maori authority.

Busby said it would be better to take over the whole country.

Hobson's choice.

Hobson admitted to his wife after his 1837 visit that he really believed New Zealand should be taken as a British colony, because the country had valuable resources. He also thought Maori were dying out. He commented: '... the Aboriginal race [Maori] are rapidly diminishing in numbers, the day is

not far distant when that country will be wholly occupied by white people'.

William Hobson