James Busby

James Busby, British Resident 1833–40

New Zealand at the time of Busby's appointment was regarded as a dependent territory of New South Wales. When Busby was appointed as the official British Resident, his instructions from Governor Richard Bourke of New South Wales were to protect 'well disposed settlers and traders' and prevent 'outrages' by Europeans against Maori while apprehending escaped convicts.

Busby could not hold a magisterial office and had no powers of arrest. Governor Bourke disliked Busby, and his council resented the fact that New Zealand was a charge on the New South Wales treasury. Responses to Busby's requests for money always fell short of his needs. Bourke advised Busby to utilise chiefly authority and direct Maori towards a settled form of government. Maori chiefs would then develop a sense of collective responsibility for enforcing regulations on Maori and European alike. Busby was provided with no means of enforcing his authority apart from an occasional naval visit.

In the end, Busby's role could be better described as that of 'race relations conciliator' in disputes between Maori and Pakeha, and mediator in matters affecting British subjects alone. Unfortunately he was not very successful in either area.