Henry Sewell

Henry Sewell (1807–1879) arrived in New Zealand at the age of 45 as an official of the Canterbury Association. He was active in national politics, and became New Zealand's first premier in 1856 - although only for two weeks.

Sewell was a pacifist who hated the use of force against Maori. He preferred compromise and persuasion. He also believed that the best way to achieve assimilation of Maori, and to open up their land for settlement, was to gain Maori cooperation, provide for their future needs, and give them a meaningful role in the land alienation process.

In 1860 he therefore drafted a Native Council Bill which would require Maori to keep a portion of all blocks sold. A part of the proceeds from the on-sale of Maori land would be set aside for Maori religious and educational purposes. All of this would be supervised by a "native council" of local chiefs. This was rejected, as was a modified version of the Bill put forward in 1861.

Sewell was highly distressed by the outbreak of war in 1860, and resigned from the government in protest at the land confiscation policy. He subsequently served in a number of ministries, and died in England in 1879.

See also: biography of Henry Sewell at DNZB website