Historedia
Person

William Hobson

Events
3
Episodes
8
Years
1840–1841

Every event in Historedia whose sources name William Hobson, with the role they cite and all of that event’s episodes. This is not a biography, and mentions are grouped by name, so two people with the same name can share this page.

Events and episodes

  1. New Zealand declared a British colony following the Treaty of Waitangi

    1840–1841

    Role: Lieutenant-Governor and first Governor of New Zealand

    1. 6 February 1840 · WaitangiSigning of the Treaty of Waitangi

      Captain William Hobson and Māori chiefs signed the Treaty of Waitangi at Waitangi on 6 February 1840, establishing a basis for British sovereignty.

    2. 21 May 1840 · New ZealandProclamation of Sovereignty

      Lieutenant-Governor Hobson declared sovereignty over New Zealand on 21 May 1840; the Colony of New Zealand was constituted separately by Royal Charter effective 3 May 1841.

    3. 16 November 1840 to 3 May 1841 · New ZealandRoyal Charter and Formal Separation

      A Royal Charter issued in November 1840 formally established the Colony of New Zealand as a de jure Crown colony, effective May 1841.

  2. Treaty of Waitangi signed granting British sovereignty in New Zealand

    1840

    Role: Crown representative, Lieutenant-Governor

    1. 6 February 1840 · WaitangiSigning of the Treaty

      Captain William Hobson and Māori chiefs signed the Treaty of Waitangi on 6 February 1840 at Waitangi, establishing British sovereignty.

    2. 3 May 1840 · New ZealandProclamation of Sovereignty

      Lieutenant-Governor Hobson proclaimed British sovereignty over New Zealand on 3 May 1840, with the North Island claimed by treaty and the South Island and Stewart Island by discovery.

  3. New Zealand becomes a separate British colony

    1841

    Role: First Governor of New Zealand

    1. 1841 · Okiato (Old Russell)Initial Capital Establishment

      The colony's first capital was established at Okiato (Old Russell) in 1841.

    2. 3 May 1841 · New ZealandSeparation from New South Wales

      New Zealand became a separate Crown colony on 3 May 1841, ending its status as a dependency of New South Wales.

    3. 3 May 1841 · New ZealandHobson Sworn in as Governor

      William Hobson was sworn in as the first Governor of New Zealand on 3 May 1841.

Sources

  1. William Hobson Wikipedia, revision of 2026-08-11
  2. Treaty of Waitangi Wikipedia
  3. Colony of New Zealand Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-26