William Hobson

British colonial officer

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July 23, 2026

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William Hobson was a British naval officer who played a pivotal role in the annexation of New Zealand. In 1839, he was commissioned as lieutenant governor and consul to the Māori chiefs. He annexed the North Island by cession from the Māori and the South Island by discovery. This led to the establishment of the Treaty of Waitangi in February 1840, where Māori ceded sovereignty to the British Crown in exchange for protection and guaranteed land possession. Hobson became the first governor of New Zealand in 1841, moving the seat of government to establish Auckland. He died in 1842, but his actions laid the groundwork for British colonization and governance in New Zealand.1

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New Zealand
Annexation and further settlement
In 1839 it commissioned William Hobson, a naval officer, as lieutenant governor and consul to the Māori chiefs, and he annexed the whole country: the North Island by the right of cession from the Māori chiefs and the South Island by the right of discovery. At first New Zealand…
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In 1839 it commissioned William Hobson, a naval officer, as lieutenant governor and consul to the Māori chiefs, and he annexed the whole country: the North Island by the right of cession from the Māori chiefs and the South Island by the right of discovery. At first New Zealand…
Read More