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King William IV received a petition by 13 Northern Māori chiefs. It asked for protection from a French ship in the Bay of Islands. -
James Busby was appointed as the official "British Resident". -
James Busby created the Declaration of Independence (He Wakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tirene) It was done without the permission of the British government. The document informs that all sovereign power was with the chiefs and tribes. -
This year the British government set up a colony in New Zealand. -
William Hobson was appointed as a consul. He was sent to work with the Māori chiefs to gain sovereignty over New Zealand. -
William Hobson prohibited land purchases from the Māori. -
Firstly, 500 Māori and 200 Pākehā discussed the draft version of the Treaty documents. The Māori looked suspicious but Tāmati Wāka Nene persuaded them to sign the Treaty. -
On this date, the Treaty document was signed by 40 chiefs. -
After three months, William Hobson announced British sovereignty over all of New Zealand. -
By September, 500 chiefs had signed a Māori version of the Treaty of Waitangi.