Provinces of New Zealand - 1841 To 1853

1841 To 1853

When New Zealand became a separate Colony from New South Wales in 1841, the Royal Charter established three provinces:

• New Ulster (the North Island north of the Patea River)
• New Munster (the North Island south of the Patea River, plus the South Island)
• New Leinster (Stewart Island/Rakiura)

In 1846 the British Parliament passed the first New Zealand Constitution Act, which was almost totally suspended on the advice of Governor George Grey. The only operative provisions related to the reform of the provinces. The reformed provinces were:

• New Ulster (All of the North Island)
• New Munster (The South Island plus Stewart Island/Rakiura)

In addition, the provinces were separated from the central government for the first time.