<P> The principles behind the independence of New Zealand began before New Zealand even became a British colony in 1840 . There had been minor rebellions in Canada , and in order to avoid making the mistakes which had led to the American revolution , Lord Durham was commissioned to make a report on the government of colonies which contained a substantial British population . The principles of self - government within the Empire were laid down in the Durham Report and first put into operation in Nova Scotia in 1848 . Canada , New Zealand , and the Australian colonies very soon followed suit . The British Parliament passed the New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 to grant the colony 's settlers the right to self - governance , only 12 years ( in 1853 ) after the founding of the colony . New Zealand was therefore to all intents and purposes independent in domestic matters from its earliest days as a British colony . </P>
<P> The principles behind the independence of New Zealand began before New Zealand even became a British colony in 1840 . There had been minor rebellions in Canada , and in order to avoid making the mistakes which had led to the American revolution , Lord Durham was commissioned to make a report on the government of colonies which contained a substantial British population . The principles of self - government within the Empire were laid down in the Durham Report and first put into operation in Nova Scotia in 1848 . Canada , New Zealand , and the Australian colonies very soon followed suit . The British Parliament passed the New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 to grant the colony 's settlers the right to self - governance , only 12 years ( in 1853 ) after the founding of the colony . New Zealand was therefore to all intents and purposes independent in domestic matters from its earliest days as a British colony . </P>
when did new zealand became its own country
when did new zealand became its own country
1853
1853