William Hobson
First Governor of New Zealand and co-author of the Treaty of Waitangi (1792-1842) · Historical Figures · Died at 49
Captain William Hobson was a Royal Navy officer and colonial administrator who served as the first governor of New Zealand from 1841 to 1842. He was a co-author of the Treaty of Waitangi which he, as Crown representative, and several Maori chiefs signed on 6 February 1840.
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![1839 document appointing Hobson as lieutenant-governor of New Zealand.[38]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/19/Appointment_of_William_Hobson_as_Lieutenant_Governor%2C_1839.pdf/page1-500px-Appointment_of_William_Hobson_as_Lieutenant_Governor%2C_1839.pdf.jpg)
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On 3 May 1840, he proclaimed British sovereignty over New Zealand. He also selected the site for a new capital, which he named Auckland. In May 1841, New Zealand was constituted as a separate Crown colony with Hobson promoted to governor and commander-in-chief. In his final months, Hobson was dogged by poor health which left him detached from political affairs. He died in office in September 1842.
