First Parliaments 1853-1871

1853

• First election for the New Zealand parliament.
• Males over the age of 21 who were British subjects and held, rented or leased property of a certain value or over able to vote.
• 37 Members of Parliament (Members of the House of Representatives) elected.
• Limited numbers of Māori vote, as most did not qualify under individual property rights (most Māori land held in common).

1854

• First General Assembly in Auckland.

1856

• Appointment of the first ministry under responsible government.
• Henry Sewell becomes first Premier of New Zealand, but is succeeded by William Fox two weeks later, and then by Edward Stafford after another two weeks.

1858

• Te Wherowhero installed as first Māori King, using the name Potatau I.
• Electoral reforms introduced, including measures against bribery and rules on voter registration.

1860

• Right to vote extended to gold-miners (if British subjects), who had not been able to vote before because they were not property owners.

1863

• New Zealand Settlements Act passed to allow confiscation of land from Māori after the New Zealand Wars.

1865

• Wellington becomes capital of New Zealand.
• Native Land Court established.

1867

• Four Māori seats established in Parliament (supposed to be a temporary measure).
• Universal suffrage (the right to vote regardless of wealth or property) given to Māori males over 21 years old. (First Māori election held 1868).

1871

• First time secret ballot used in a New Zealand general election.