Question

When did the British colony of New Zealand become an independent dominion?

Answer 1

The British colony of New Zealand became an independent dominion on September 26, 1907. This status was granted through the enactment of the Constitution Act 1907, which established New Zealand as a self-governing dominion within the British Empire.

Prior to becoming a dominion, New Zealand had been a British colony since the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, which established British sovereignty over the islands of New Zealand. In the years that followed, the colony developed its own political and legal institutions, including a bicameral parliament and a system of responsible government.

The move towards dominion status gained momentum in the late 19th century as New Zealand sought to assert its autonomy from British control. The country had been granted self-governing status in 1852, and over the years, the colonial government gradually assumed more powers and responsibilities.

The push for dominion status was also driven by a desire to have greater control over immigration and trade policies, as well as to assert New Zealand's identity as a distinct nation within the British Empire. The rise of nationalism and