Henri Sewell A 19th-century New Zealand politician and the country's first prime minister. Date of Birth: 07.09.1807 Country: New Zealand

Content:

1. Early Life and Education
2. Immigration to New Zealand
3. Political Career
4. Colonial Secretary and Premier
5. Native Council Bill
6. Later Life and Death

Early Life and Education

Henry Sewell was born on September 7, 1807, into an affluent family in Newport, Isle of Wight, England. He received his legal education at Hyde Abbey School near Winchester and went on to practice successfully as a solicitor in Newport and Pidford.

Immigration to New Zealand

In 1848, after the death of his first wife, Sewell moved to London and joined the Canterbury Association, a British company tasked with colonizing the Canterbury region of New Zealand. He became the association's deputy chairman in 1850 and later married Elizabeth Kittow. In 1853, Sewell arrived in Christchurch, New Zealand, as part of the first emigration ship.

Political Career

First New Zealand Parliament

Sewell was elected to the first New Zealand Parliament as the representative for Christchurch. Despite his legal and financial expertise, he was criticized for his elitism and aloofness. He took a moderate position in the debate between centralists and provincialists, though he later became more supportive of the centralists.

Colonial Secretary and Premier

After being appointed to the Executive Council by acting Governor Robert Wynyard, Sewell believed New Zealand was close to achieving self-governance. However, when Wynyard clarified that the appointments were temporary, Sewell and his colleagues resigned. Governor Thomas Gore Browne later announced that self-governance would be granted with the convening of the second parliament. Sewell was re-elected and tasked with forming a new government on April 18, 1856. He became Colonial Secretary on May 7, a position equivalent to that of Prime Minister.

Sewell's government was short-lived due to its support for centralism. William Fox, a provincialist leader, successfully moved a motion that led to the government's dismissal two weeks after its formation. Edward Stafford, a more moderate politician, replaced Fox as Premier and offered Sewell the position of Colonial Treasurer.

Native Council Bill

In late 1856, Sewell traveled to England to negotiate with the British government while maintaining his seat on the Executive Council. Upon his return, he resumed the role of Colonial Treasurer for two months before resigning again. As the New Zealand Wars escalated, Sewell advocated for peace through negotiation and compromise. He proposed purchasing Maori lands at fairer prices and avoiding open confrontation. He introduced the Native Council Bill twice, which aimed to establish a Maori body to oversee all Maori land transactions, but both bills were defeated.

Later Life and Death

Sewell resided in England from 1866 to 1870. On his return to New Zealand, he held various cabinet positions, including Attorney-General, Minister of Justice, and Colonial Secretary. In 1876, he left New Zealand for the last time and passed away in Cambridge, England, on May 5, 1879.

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Henri Sewell	Helen Clark	Chris Hipkins