Far East Kingdoms

Modern New Zealand (Australasia) (Oceania)
AD 1907 - Present Day
Incorporating Heads of State (1907-2025), Independent Dominion (1907-1945), & Independent Constitutional Monarchy (1945-On)

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Considered in some quarters to be a watery continent in its own right, Oceania starts where South-East Asia ends, to the south-east of Indonesia and East Timor. Its territory is somewhat debatable, but the Australasia section encompasses Australia, New Zealand, some minor islands, and Tasmania. Some authorities include New Zealand in Polynesia.

New Zealand's location is especially interesting as it is near the antipode to Great Britain. The twin islands of New Zealand consist of North Island (known by the Māori as Te Ika-a-Māui, meaning 'fish of Māui') and South Island (Te Waipounamu, meaning 'waters of Greenstone'), along with an assortment of surrounding smaller islands which lie to the north, east, and south of the main islands.

Far to the north-east, in southern Polynesia, are the Cook Islands. These islands are a self-governing entity in association with New Zealand. Another small island, Stewart Island, is just off the southern coast of South Island. Exploratory Dutch later named the islands 'New Zealand' after they became the first Europeans to discover them (in 1606 to effectively end the Neolithic Oceania period).

The beginnings of what might be termed 'Colonial New Zealand' began in 1642, when Dutch explorer Abel Tasman became the first European to sight South Island. He also charted some of its western coast. Dutch maps labelled the new discovery Nieuw Zeeland (New Zealand) after the Dutch province of Zeeland.

Settlement by Europeans took place during the nineteenth century. Clashes with the indigenous Māori (Maori) were inevitable, leading to what might be termed a final war which ended in 1881. A form of peace was agreed which would see the Māori play a more prominent role in society than would initially be the case in many other European colonial holdings of the time. Even so, difficulties would be experience for a considerable period.

On 26 September 1907, New Zealand became a self-governing dominion which was effectively independent of the contemporary United Kingdom. It took with it the Cook Islands which in turn included the kingdom of Avarua.

Please note that the History Files does not regularly monitor changes in modern heads of state or their representatives. Get in touch here if this section requires updating.

(Information by John De Cleene and the John De Cleene Archive, with additional information by Peter Kessler, from Afghan Rebels Seize Control of Kabul (Washington Post, 14 November 2001), from Asia in the Modern World, Claude A Buss (Macmillan Publishing Company, 1964), from Hammond's Historical Atlas (C S Hammond & Co, 1963), from Historical Atlas of the World, R R Palmer (Ed, Rand McNally & Company, 1963), from The Horizon History of the British Empire, Steven W Sears (Ed, American Heritage Publishing Co, 1973), from The Kingdom of Bulgaria, Gene Gurney (Kingdoms of Europe, Crown Publishers, 1982), from US National Public Radio news broadcasts (13 November 2001), from Pashtun Uprising Reported in Afghanistan, (Washington Post, 2 November 2001), from Encyclopaedia Britannica (Twelfth Ed, New Volumes of the Eleventh Ed, Cambridge University Press, 1922), from Taliban Flees Afghan Capital (Washington Post, 13 November 2001), from Washington Post (16 September 1999 and 20 September 1999), and from External Links: A Brief History (New Zealand Immigration Office), and Cook Islands, New Zealand, and Niue (Flags of the World), and History (Te Ara - The Encyclopaedia of New Zealand), and New Zealand (Zárate's Political Collections (ZPC)), and BBC Country Profiles, and Peace Agreements (University of Edinburgh), and Cook Islands, New Zealand, Samoa, & Tokelau (Rulers.org), and Why wasn't I told? (New Zealand Geographic), and Nauru (Rulers.org), and Tokelau (Rulers.org), and New Zealand (WikiTravel), and New Zealand Parliament.)

1907 - 1910

Governor. Former Colonial. Presided over independence.

1907

When New Zealand sheds its 'Colonial New Zealand' past to become a self-governing dominion on 26 September 1907, it takes with it the Cook Islands, which in turn includes the kingdom of Avarua.

1910

Acting governor.

1910 - 1912

Governor.

1912

Acting governor for the second time.

1912

William Massey of the Reform Party replaces the Liberal Party's long reign with promises being made to state leaseholders which assures them they can become private freeholders.

'The Dominion of New Zealand', Simpson & Williams Ltd, Christchurch, release on 4 November 1927 as a colourful booklet, having been created for the 'Department of Tourist and Health Resorts' to advertise New Zealand for holidays (External Link: Creative Commons Licence 2.0 Deed)

1912 - 1920

Governor to 1917, then governor-general.

1914

Having jointly guaranteed in 1839 to support the neutrality of Belgium, when the country is invaded by Germany, Britain, France, and Russia are forced to declare war against Germany and Austria at midnight on 4 August. The First World War (variously called World War I, or the Great War), has begun.

All of Britain's overseas territories and colonies mobilise for war, including Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Despite its independence, New Zealand still considers itself to be a loyal member of the British empire, one which is duty-bound to participate. On 29 August, New Zealand occupies the German possession of Samoa.

Japan joins Britain against Germany, as does China, both keen on reducing the German presence in their region. Japanese and British troops take Tsingtao Fortress which houses the German East Asia Squadron's headquarters.

German-leased territories in China's Shandong Province are also taken, as are the Marianas, Caroline Islands, and Marshall Islands in the Pacific, all of which are part of 'German New Guinea'. China supplies nearly 150,000 labourers to the Western Front.

Kaiser Wilhelm II of Prussia and the German empire inspects his troops on the eve of war in 1914, a war which none of the tributary German principalities had any chance of escaping

1915

New Zealand and Australia suffer heavy losses in the Gallipoli campaign against the Ottomans, who are a German ally. The traumatic venture produces a reverence for the memory of the 'Australia and New Zealand Army Corps' (Anzac) which is still reflected in both countries by the major observance of 'Anzac Day' on 25 April.

1917 - 1918

The kingdom of Niue-Fekai consists of Niue Island which is a possession of New Zealand. It lies to the south of the Samoa islands, to the east of the Tonga islands, and to the west of the Cook Islands. In 1917 its existence is terminated.

On 3 November 1918, Great Britain, France, and Italy agree to a cease-fire with Austria-Hungary. The German emperor abdicates on 8 November. A general armistice ends the war on 11 November with an allied victory.

1920

Nauru becomes a League of Nations mandate which is nominally and jointly administered by Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. In practice it falls under Australian administration.

On 17 December 1920, Western Samoa, which is the name used for that portion of Samoa which is occupied by New Zealand, becomes a League of Nations mandate which is administered by New Zealand.

Nauru is an island republic, a raised fossilised coral atoll, lying four thousand kilometres to the north-east of Sydney, with a total land area of twenty-one square kilometres and a population of thirteen thousand

1920

Acting governor for a third time.

1920 - 1924

Governor-general.

1924 - 1930

Governor-general.

1930

Acting governor-general.

1930 - 1935

Governor-general. Statute of Westminster passed.

1931

The Statute of Westminster grants full sovereignty to British dominions on 11 December 1931 (although New Zealand does not ratify the statute until 25 November 1947).

1935

Acting governor-general for the second time.

1935

The Great Depression hits New Zealand in the late 1920s, with massive unemployment and violent riots. The Labour Party, established in 1916, comes to power for the first time following disenchantment with the conservative government's handling of the depression. The Reserve Bank, is nationalised, public works are established, public housing is created and, in 1938, a Social Security Act greatly expands the welfare state.

The Great Depression hit New Zealand hard so, in response, New Zealanders elected Michael Joseph Savage and the Labour Party to the government benches in 1935, after which reforms went a long way to improving the situation for the long term

1935 - 1941

Governor-general.

1939 - 1945

New Zealand joins the United Kingdom and its allies against the axis powers of Germany, Italy, and Japan during the Second World War. New Zealand counts on the British to protect it from Japan but, when Japan takes Singapore from the British, New Zealanders lose that confidence.

Most New Zealand troops are presently serving in the Near East and Egypt. It turns out that after the Japanese attack the USA in 1941, the Americans become New Zealand's protector during their campaign in the Pacific.

1941

Acting governor-general for a third time.

1941 - 1946

Governor-general.

1944

The country's first Labour government passes the 'Ngāi Tahu Claim Settlement Act' which serves to partially compensating that tribe for the loss of its land.

1945 - 1946

New Zealand becomes a charter member of the United Nations on 24 October 1945. The country officially ceases the use of the term 'Dominion' in the same year without announcing the fact to the general public. Western Samoa becomes a United Nations trust territory in 1946 which is administered by New Zealand.

Japanese evacuation from Guadalcanal was largely successful thanks to bombing attacks on the US fleet, with very few Japanese troops surrendering to the allies, but it marked the beginning of a series of setbacks for Japan

1946

Acting governor-general for a fourth time.

1946 - 1952

Governor-general.

1949

The Tokelau Islands are detached from the British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands and are instead attached to New Zealand.

1950 - 1953

Gradually after 1950, the official use of the term 'dominion' is publicly abandoned, following the forces of North Korea attacking South Korea on 25 June 1950. A multinational force made up primarily of troops from the USA, and Britain and the Commonwealth nations (including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and India), goes in to support the south. The Korean War lasts until a ceasefire is agreed in July 1953.

1952

Acting governor-general.

1952 - 1957

Governor-general.

1957

Acting governor-general.

1957 - 1962

Governor-general.

1962 - 1965

Western Samoa becomes the 'Independent State of Western Samoa' on 1 January 1962. In 1965, the Cook Islands, a possession of New Zealand, becomes an associated state with New Zealand.

The picturesque beaches of Mangaia, with its secluded coves which are sheltered by coral limestone, form part of the idyllic Cook Islands

1962

Acting governor-general for the second time.

1962 - 1967

Governor-general.

1964 - 1975

Consistent with its friendship with the USA, New Zealand sends soldiers to help the American Vietnam War effort, despite much popular opposition. The war is fundamentally a proxy between the United States and the Soviet Union.

The Soviets support North Vietnam, which is attempting to unify the entire country under a single communist government. South Vietnam is the US-created alternative to the communist northerners, but its government is plagued by corruption and minority Catholic rule.

The USA gradually withdraws its direct military intervention in the early 1970s, along with its support of equipment and supplies to South Vietnam. The war ends in 1975 when North Vietnam creates a unified Vietnam.

As the Vietnam War took hold in the 1960s, North Vietnamese troops started using Laos as a way of getting past US and South Vietnamese defences, thereby bringing the war to Laos itself

1967

Acting governor-general.

1967 - 1972

Governor-general.

1968

The 'United Nations Trust Territory' of Nauru, which has nominally been under the administration of Australia, New Zealand, and Britain, but in practice under Australian administration, becomes an independent republic on 31 January 1968.

1972

Acting governor-general for the second time.

1972 - 1977

Governor-general.

1973

The United Kingdom joins the European Economic Community (EEC). New Zealand loses an important market for its agricultural products. The country has to widen its trading partnerships to export its products to many other countries.

1974 - 1976

Niue, formerly the kingdom of Niue-Fekai, becomes an associated state with New Zealand. Two years later, in 1976, the Tokelau Islands become simply 'Tokelau'.

As part of the royal tour of Australia and the South Pacific in October 1982, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visited Nauru, meeting the president, Hammer DeRoburt

1977

Acting governor-general for a third time.

1977 - 1980

Governor-general. Prime minister (1957, 1960-1972).

1980

Acting governor-general.

1980 - 1985

Governor-general.

1980s

New Zealand loosens its immigration policies to encourage more culturally diverse settlement (extending that in 1996 to introduce a new proportional representation system in parliament which doubles the number of Māori members).

1984 - 1990

A Labour government under Prime Minister David Lange begins to introduce radical free-market economic reforms. In 1985, New Zealand forbids nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed vessels from entering its ports.

In Auckland harbour, French secret service agents blow up the Greenpeace ship, Rainbow Warrior, which is engaged in environmental protests. One person is killed.

The Rainbow Warrior was repaired and refloated following its sabotage by French secret service agents in 1985, and is seen here in the polluted Hong Kong Harbour in October 2005 (External Link: Creative Commons Licence Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic)

New Zealand suspends its obligations towards Anzus in 1996, the Australia-New Zealand-United States alliance which had been created following the Second World War to oppose communism in Asia and Oceania.

In 1990, the opposition National Party, which is led by James Bolger, is elected to government when the country is in a mood to modify existing Labour policies.

1985 - 1990

Governor-general. The first to be of Māori descent.

1990 - 1996

First female governor-general.

1996 - 2001

Governor-general.

1996

As a result of a claim to the Waitangi tribunal, the Te Rūnaga o Ngāi Tahu Act is the first New Zealand legislation to recognise a Māori tribal group, the Ngāi Tahu, as a political entity.

The Ngāi Tahu people made New Zealand's South Island their home around eight hundred years ago, although it took them until 1996 to be recognised by the European settlers as a political entity

1997

The 'Deed of Settlement' gives the Ngāi Tahu the opportunity to buy certain crown assets. The deed also offers a financial settlement of one hundred and seventy million US dollars.

1997 - 1998

A leadership challenge in the National Party brings about the resignation of James Bolger. Jenny Shipley becomes New Zealand's first female prime minister in his place.

The Waitangi tribunal in the following year orders the government to return confiscated land in Turangi township to its Māori owners. The land had been taken in violation of the Waitangi Treaty in the 1960s to support power for the Turangi township. Turangi is a gorgeous and popular tourist spot, one which is known for its trout fishing and as a jumping-off place for skiing.

1999

In anticipation of a referendum on independence in East Timor, the Indonesian military supplies and supports pro-Indonesian militia groups which terrorised the East Timorese and depopulate the capital of Dili.

After East Timor does indeed vote in support of independence, considerable international pressure causes Indonesia to permit a United Nations peacekeeping force to enter the new state.

United Nations Interfet forces escort Bishop Carlos Belo in 1999 during the mission to support East Timor and stave of the risk of further brutal violence

Australia heads the force, which arrives in East Timor on 20 September 1999. Other participants in the peacekeeping force include Brazil, Britain, Canada, Finland, France, Italy, New Zealand, the Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, Thailand, and the USA.

The 'People's Consultative Assembly', the expanded version of the Indonesian parliament, votes on 19 October 1999 to accept East Timor's independence. On the next day, the 1975 Indonesian annexation of East Timor is rescinded.

In the same year, the 'Istabu Freedom Movement' (IFM) consists of members of the local Gwale population on the island of Guadalcanal. It begins a terror campaign against immigrant Malaitans. The IFM sets up checkpoints around Honiara, the capital of the Solomons, forcing Malaitans to flee.

Some Malaitans, led by Andrew Nori, set up the 'Malaita Eagles' to defend the Malaitans, and fighting breaks out between the rival factions. In June 1999, the two groups enter a peace agreement which quickly breaks down. Sir John Lapli, the governor-general, asks for help from Australia and New Zealand, but they refuse.

Despite looking like paradise, the Solomon Islands face some of the most difficult challenges in the Pacific, including ethnic violence, fragile state institutions, corruption, and increasing crime

2000

The 'Malaita Eagles' take control of the capital of Honiara on 5 June 2000. They place Prime Minister Bartholomew Ulufa'alu under house arrest. On 7 June 2000, the rebels briefly release Ulufa'alu but promptly re-arrest him. Ulufa'alu resigns and, on 1 July, Manasseh Sogavare is elected prime minister.

2001

Acting governor-general.

2001 - 2006

Governor-general.

2002

Following the United Nations take-over of the provisional government of East Timor in 1999, the last Indonesian troops had been able to withdraw on 31 October 1999. Now, on 20 May 2002, United Nations administration ends with East Timor being fully independent.

2003

An Anglo-American-led action which includes units from New Zealand forces the collapse of Iraq's dictatorial regime after just twenty-one days of fighting. Fighting to make the country secure afterwards takes much longer, as militant bombers and factional divides threaten to destabilise it completely.

The Kurds of northern Iraq proved again - following a similar successful mobilisation during the Second Gulf War (2003) - that they could offer the most united and organised defence and subsequent attack against external opponents, standing against Daesh when the regular Iraqi military had fled the north

Sir John Lapli, the governor-general of the Solomon Islands, requests an international peacekeeping force to intervene in order to stem ethnic violence. Australia and New Zealand take the lead in establishing a multi-national force, the 'Regional Assistance Mission' (Ramsi), on the Solomon Islands in order to secure peace. Ramsi disarms the militia groups although some ethnic violence continues until matters are finally settled in 2013.

2006

Acting governor-general for the second time.

2006 - 2011

Governor-general.

2009 - 2013

A 'Truth and Reconciliation Commission' is formed in the Solomon Islands to address the ethnic violence which began ten years previously, in 1999. RAMSI, the international peacekeeping force, withdraws from the Solomon Islands in 2013.

2010

New Zealand amends its labour legislation to facilitate the production of major films which are based on J R R Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit. The various filming sites subsequently become popular tourist attractions.

Lord of the Rings producer Peter Jackson built a multi-million dollar film franchise from Tolkien's novels and using the spectacular New Zealand scenery

2011

Acting governor-general for a third time.

2011 - 2016

Governor-general. Of Māori descent.

2011 - 2014

A major earthquake strikes Christchurch in 2011, the second largest city on South Island, killing many people. Two more earthquakes hit central New Zealand, near Wellington, in 2013 but do not cause significant damage. A fourth hits North Island in 2014, again without causing major damage.

2012

The Ngāti Toa tribe and the New Zealand government sign a 'Deed of Settlement' for the tribe's treaty claims. The value of the settlement is seventy-five million US dollars.

2016

Acting governor-general for a fourth time.

2016 - 2021

Governor-general.

2021

Acting governor-general.

2021 - On

Governor-general. Of Māori descent.

2023

On 19 January 2023, Jacinda Kate Laurell Ardern announces her intention to step down from office. This progressive and inclusive fortieth Labour prime minister of New Zealand has led the country throughout the Covid pandemic and the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings. By 25 January she is again an ordinary MP and she leaves parliament entirely at the elections of 15 April.

Jacinda Arden was New Zealand's pragmatic prime minister during a series of major events which included the Christchurch mosque shooting of 2019 and the Covid pandemic of 2020-2021

A new Conservative Party government is elected in New Zealand. The new prime minister, Christopher Luxon, reveals plans to review and revise the Treaty of Waitangi. The government's position, along with its plans to close the Māori health authority and to reduce the use of the Māori language by the government, alarms the Māori and sparks protests.

2024

Following the death of Tuheitia Paki, a council of twelve male elders elects his youngest daughter, Ngā Wai Hono i te Po Paki, as the new queen of the Māori, selecting her over her two older brothers.