Hobson was dispatched from London in August 1839 with instructions to take the constitutional steps needed to establish a British colony in New Zealand; he was instructed to negotiate a voluntary transfer of sovereignty from Māori to the British Crown.
Hobson was dispatched from London in August 1839 with instructions. This was to take the constitutional steps needed to establish a British colony in New Zealand. He was instructed to negotiate a voluntary transfer of sovereignty from Māori to the British Crown.