One Land: 1850s Timeline
One Land drops three modern families into 1850s New Zealand. We
asked prize-winning author and historian, Dr. Lyndon Fraser, to map
out the important dates both in New Zealand and around the world
during the 1850s.
1850
The province of Canterbury is founded.
I.M. Singer invents the sewing machine.
1851
Ngati Whatua chief Apihai Te Kawatu prevents armed Maori - angered
and insulted by the assault and imprisonment of Ngakapa, a Ngati
Paoa chief - from launching an attack on Auckland.
The Victorian gold rushes begin after startling discoveries near Ballarat and Bendigo.
London's Great Council Exhibition - the first World Fair - opens.
1852
Tamihana Te Rauparaha, son of the powerful Ngati Toa chief, meets
Queen Victoria in London. He returns to New Zealand keen to create
a monarchy for Maori.
The British Parliament passes the New Zealand Constitution Act (UK) for self-government of the colony on 30 June 1852. It provides for a Governor appointed by London; establishes a two-tiered General Assembly with an elected House of Representatives and a Legislative Council of officials nominated by Governor; and creates six provincial governments (Auckland, Wellington, New Plymouth, Nelson, Canterbury, Otago) each with a Provincial Council & Superintendent.
The newly instituted Auckland Museum purchases a small Grafton Gully worker's cottage for its expanding collections of Maori artefacts.
1853
The New Zealand Constitution Act (UK) of 1852 comes into force on
17 January 1853 and provides a system of representative government
for New Zealand.
First elections held under the new Constitution between June and October. Q. Who could vote? A. Men over 21 who held freehold property worth over £50; leasehold property with an annual value of £10; or rural land with annual rental of £5. Thirty-seven MPs were elected.
After serving his first term as Governor (1845-53), George Grey leaves New Zealand on 31 December 1853 with his wife, Eliza, to take up a new post as Governor of Cape Colony and High Commissioner for South Africa.
The Crown's purchase of the Murihiku block, comprising 2.8 hectares of land in the southwest of the South Island, is concluded in Dunedin.
1854
First meeting of the country's Parliament in Auckland.
The Waste Lands Act is passed, giving the NZ Parliament and Provincial Councils the right to take 'waste lands' from Maori and to occupy and pass them to settlers.
Peter Lalor leads the Eureka Stockade uprising in Ballarat on 3 December.
The Crimean War (1854-56) begins after Russia advances into Turkey. Florence Nightingale takes London nurses to the battlefields and organises a barracks hospital.
1855
Military build-up in Taranaki: a detachment of the 58th Regiment
arrives in New Plymouth from Auckland in August, along with
supporting Royal Artillery, sappers and miners.
Thomas Robert Gore Browne, a former soldier, becomes Governor of New Zealand (1855-61).
The British Parliament enacts the constitutions of New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, providing self-government for the colonies along similar lines to New Zealand.
David Livingstone, a Scottish missionary, 'discovers' and names the Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River.
1856
'Responsible' government begins in New Zealand: the Executive is
supported by a majority in the House of Representatives, while the
Governor retains defence and Maori Affairs
Henry Sewell becomes Premier for one month; William Fox for 13 days. Edward William Stafford (1819-1901) takes office on 2 June 1856 and retains the post until 12 July 1861.
Nelson College becomes New Zealand's first state secondary school.
The Victoria Cross is created to honour soldiers serving the British Empire for acts of gallantry.
1857
The elderly Waikato chief Te Wherowhero (Ngati Mahuta) agrees to
become the first Maori King at Rangiriri, taking the name Potatau.
The rise of the Maori King movement (Te Kingitanga) reflected the
wishes of many Maori for leadership that would unite the tribes,
protect the land and make laws for Maori.
Charles Darwin publishes On the Origin of Species.
The Indian Rebellion begins.
1858
The first Maori King - Potatau - is formally installed at
Ngarauwahia.
Hawkes Bay splits from Wellington and becomes a province in its own right.
1859
Te Teira Manuka (Te Ati Awa) offers to sell Governor Thomas Gore
Browne a disputed 600-acre block of land at Waitara in
Taranaki.
NZ Census figures show that the Maori population was 56,049, of whom 38,269 lived in the greater Auckland region. There were 59,413 non-Maori in the colony.
Marlborough becomes New Zealand's eighth province.
Queensland separates from New South Wales and gains its own constitution.
1860
The first Taranaki War breaks out on 17 March when Imperial Troops
attack a pa built by Te Rangitake (Wiremu Kingi) of Te Ati Awa at
Te Kohia.
Abraham Lincoln is elected President of the United States. South Carolina secedes from the Union.
