Notes for the Secretary of State - pre-1840 contact - NCEA Level 3 history

The Colonial Office was responsible for determining British policy regarding its colonial possessions and the running of the British Empire. The Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, or Colonial Secretary, was the British Cabinet official in charge of managing the various British colonies.

It is 1832. The Colonial Secretary has received a petition from 13 northern Maori chiefs to King William IV asking for protection and recognition of their (Maori) special trade and missionary contacts with Britain. As an official working in the Colonial Office, you have been asked to prepare notes to assist in writing a Cabinet paper outlining why the government should tread very carefully as far as any intervention in New Zealand is concerned.

Using the category Pre-1840 contact and your own knowledge, complete the following tasks:

• The Secretary of State is looking for at least four strong arguments why Britain should not formally intervene in New Zealand.
• To help counter the criticism that the government might receive about past events in New Zealand that have harmed Maori, explain to the Secretary of State why these events are not something the Colonial Office needs to be greatly concerned about. The Secretary of State is a busy man with a big empire to worry about, so he is not interested in reading much more than a page of advice.
• Finally, explain to the Secretary of State your idea about appointing a British Resident to New Zealand. For practical reasons, you believe that this position would be best administered under the auspices of the government of New South Wales. Outline what this person would be expected to do and what the Colonial Office and the government of New South Wales could be expected to provide in terms of support. Once again keep your explanation to no more than a page.