Captain William Hobson, RN
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Lieutenant-Governor
1840 - 1841
(under Lt.-Col. Sir George Gipps, RE, Governor of New South Wales 1837 - 1846, and Governor-in-Chief of New Zealand 1839 - 1841)
Governor
1841 - 1842
William Hobson was born in Ireland in 1793 and went to sea at the age of nine. In 1836, he commanded the frigate 'Rattlesnake' in Port Phillip (Melbourne). He surveyed the harbour and was then sent to the Bay of Islands to report on New Zealand.
He was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of New Zealand in 1839, arriving in late January 1840. After the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi on 6 February that year, he proclaimed British Sovereignty on May 21.
He read the charter proclaiming New Zealand a separate Crown Colony on May 3, 1841, and took the Oath as Governor the same day.
Hobson moved the capital from the Bay of Islands to Auckland in January of 1841. He died in Auckland in September, 1842.
For more information, read Governor Hobson's biography in The Dictionary of New Zealand Biography
Year:
1941 - 1942
Media resources
Queen Elizabeth II became New Zealand's Queen on 6 February 1952. To mark the Diamond Jubilee of her reign, a special section of the Governor-General's website has been established.
Features
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Waitangi Celebrations 2012
The Governor-General's first Waitangi Day Programme -
Governor-General's New Year Message
Sir Jerry Mateparae issues his 1st New Year message - watch the video -
State Opening of Parliament
Governor-General announces the Government's plans -
Speaker-elect confirmation ceremony
Dr Smith confirmed as Speaker of the House -
Appointment of the new Government
The Governor-General appoints the new Government -
Queen's Diamond Jubilee Emblem
New emblem to mark the Diamond Jubilee -
Rugby World Cup
Message from the Queen of New Zealand on the All Blacks' victory -
State Swearing-in of Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae
A Government House short film -
Royal NZ Navy 70th Anniversary
The Governor-General hosted and attended associated events -
New Zealand Gallantry Awards
Government House has today issued a special honours list -
One year on from the 4 September 2010 Canterbury earthquake
Governor-General issues a message -
Swearing in ceremony
Sir Jerry Mateparae to become NZ's 20th Governor-General -
Sir Paul Reeves
New Zealand's first Governor-General of Maori descent dies -
Visit by King George Tupou V of Tonga
The Governor-General hosted a State Welcome for the King of Tonga -
Māori King visits Government House
The King plants a tree to mark the visit -
Matariki
The Governor-General's 2011 Matariki Message -
The Royal Wedding
Sir Anand and Lady Susan attended the Royal Wedding on 29 April -
ANZAC Day message
The Governor-General's message for ANZAC Day commemorations -
Government House Open Days
Open Day details can be found here -
The National Christchurch Memorial Service
Details and photos are available here. -
Christchurch Earthquake
Governor-General offers the support of all New Zealanders -
Canterbury earthquake
World leaders send messages of support to New Zealand -
Waitangi Day 2011
Sir Anand Satyanand's last Waitangi Day as Governor-General -
New Year Message
Governor-General issues his message for 2011 -
Pike River Mine Tragedy
World leaders send messages of support to New Zealand -
Governor-General visits Canterbury
A visit to support and encourage those affected by the earthquake -
New Year Message
Governor-General issues his message for 2010 -
Governor-General's 2009 New Year Message
New Zealanders urged to volunteer
