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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.
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James Busby was appointed as the official "British Resident".
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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.
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This year the British government set up a colony in New Zealand.
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William Hobson was appointed as a consul. He was sent to work with the Māori chiefs to gain sovereignty over New Zealand.
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William Hobson prohibited land purchases from the Māori.
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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.
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On this date, the Treaty document was signed by 40 chiefs.
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After three months, William Hobson announced British sovereignty over all of New Zealand.
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By September, 500 chiefs had signed a Māori version of the Treaty of Waitangi.