NZ History MapAotearoa 1800–2000
Government & law

The capital moves to Wellington

When
26 July 1865
Where
Wellington · Te Whanganui-a-Tara
Reach
Nationwide

Australian commissioners were asked to pick a more central capital, and chose Wellington. Auckland was furious and briefly talked of separation.

The South Island held most of the population and wealth after the gold rushes, and resented governing from the far north. Three neutral commissioners from Australia recommended Wellington for its harbour and central position. Parliament sat there from July 1865. Auckland’s grievance was real enough that a petition for separate colony status went to London.

Regions affected

WellingtonAucklandNationwide

Sources

Written for this project from these references rather than copied from them. Follow a link to check the account against the original.

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