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James Cook "Re-Discovered" New Zealand and claimed it in the name of England: through the Treaty of Waitangi this was made official. Further information: The Treaty of Waitangi effectively signalled the founding of New Zealand by white settlers, and made New Zealand a British colony. The Treaty was signed on 6 February 1840 by over 500 Māori chiefs of New Zealand and the British Governor William Hobson, representing the British Government. It was intended to protect Māori land interests in exchange for recognition of British sovereignty. The Māori agreed to hand over ownership of their land to Queen Victoria, and in return were to retain the right to occupy their land as long as they wished, and to be protected in so doing.

With the signing of the Treaty, Governor Hobson declared British sovereignty over New Zealand, and the colony of New Zealand was formally proclaimed on 3 May 1840. This resulted in a great increase in the number of British migrants coming to New Zealand.

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16y ago

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