<P> The Colony of New Zealand was a British colony that existed in New Zealand from 1841 to 1907 . Originally created as a Crown colony , the power of the British government was vested in a governor . The colony was granted self - government in 1852 ; after the first parliament was elected in 1853 , the 1852 Constitution was inaugurated . The first responsible government of New Zealand was formed in 1856 . The Colony of New Zealand had three capitals : Old Russell ( 1841 ) , Auckland ( 1841 -- 1865 ) and Wellington ( after 1865 ) . </P>
<P> The Colony of New Zealand was a British colony that existed in New Zealand from 1841 to 1907 . Originally created as a Crown colony , the power of the British government was vested in a governor . The colony was granted self - government in 1852 ; after the first parliament was elected in 1853 , the 1852 Constitution was inaugurated . The first responsible government of New Zealand was formed in 1856 . The Colony of New Zealand had three capitals : Old Russell ( 1841 ) , Auckland ( 1841 -- 1865 ) and Wellington ( after 1865 ) . </P>
when did new zealand become a british colony
when did new zealand become a british colony
1841
1841