the united tribes of new zealand formally declared their independence on 28 october 1835.
when did the united tribes of new zealand formally declare their independence?
28 october 1835
the confederation was convened in 1834 by british resident james busby. busby had been sent to new zealand in 1833 by the colonial office to serve as the official british resident, and was anxious to set up a framework for trade between māori and europeans. the māori chiefs of the northern part of the north island agreed to meet with him in march 1834. rumours began spreading that the frenchman baron charles de thierry planned to set up an independent state at hokianga. the united tribes declared their independence on 28 october 1835 with the signing of the declaration of independence. in 1836, the british crown under king william iv recognized the united tribes and its flag. busby's efforts were entirely too successful: as the islands settled down, the british began to consider an outright annexation.
united tribes of new zealand
the first flag of new zealand was adopted 9 (or 20) march 1834 by a vote made by the united tribes of new zealand, a meeting of māori chiefs convened at waitangi by british resident james busby. the united tribes later made the declaration of independence of new zealand at waitangi in 1835. three flags were proposed, all designed by the missionary henry williams, who was to play a major role in the translation of the treaty of waitangi in 1840. the chiefs rejected two other proposals which included the union jack, in favour of a modified st george's cross or the white ensign, which was the flag used by henry williams on the church missionary society ships. this flag became known as the flag of the united tribes of new zealand and was officially gazetted in new south wales in august 1835, with a general description not mentioning fimbriation or the number of points on the stars.
flag of new zealand