1. The History of Government in New Zealand
Learning outcomes: By the end of the lesson you will be able to identify the first parliament in New Zealand and name some key people.

2. New Zealand gets its first parliament.
About 160 years ago Queen Victoria of England sent a man called William Hobson to New Zealand. She told him to set up a British government here.

3. Hobson asked all the Maori chiefs to meet at a place called Waitangi
Hobson asked all the Maori chiefs to meet at a place called Waitangi. Hobson asked all the chiefs to sign a piece of paper called ‘Tiriti o Waitangi’ – the Treaty of Waitangi.

4. The treaty said that only the Queen could buy land from the Maori
The treaty said that only the Queen could buy land from the Maori. In return Maori were to have all the rights of being British subjects.
The Queen told Hobson to set up a Parliament for New Zealand. The purpose was to give New Zealand good laws and good government.

5. The first Parliament was set up in Auckland
The first Parliament was set up in Auckland. It was moved to Wellington later because Wellington is closer to the middle of the country.
In those early days New Zealand was governed by England. In those times it was a colony of England and William Hobson was the Queen’s representative here.

6. questions
Who sent William Hobson to New Zealand? What was he sent to do? What did he sign with the 46 Maori chiefs? When did New Zealand get it’s first Parliament? What is Parliament for?

7. Answers The Queen Victoria. Set up Parliament Treaty of Waitangi
In 1846.
To make fair laws, to make important government decisions, to let the opposition have it’s say.