Henry Sewell, our first premier – or colonial secretary as early premiers were called – was more of a sojourner than a settler. Although he spent 17 years inNew Zealandin three periods between 1853 and 1876, he never put down deep roots..
Henry Sewell
Personal details
Full Name:
Henry Sewell
Lifetime:
7 Sep 1807 – 14 May 1879
Premier:
7–20 May 1856
Age on becoming Premier:
49
Electorate:
Town of Christchurch
Biography
Events In History
30 October 1865
The Native Land Court was one of the key products of the Native Lands Act 1865. It enabled the conversion of traditional communal landholdings into individual titles, making it much easier for Pākehā to purchase Māori land.
7 May 1856
Sewell held the position for just 14 days before being replaced by his provincialist rival William Fox, whose ministry lasted just over a week.
Main image: Sound: New Zealand's first Parliament
Hear a re-enactment of a day in New Zealand's first Parliament. This is a re-enactment of a somewhat farcical confrontation in the first session of Parliament in 1854 when the governor attempted to prorogue Parliament as the issue of responsible government became vexed.
