William Hobson, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

William Hobson

first Governor of New Zealand and co-author of the Treaty of Waitangi

Date of Birth: 26-Sep-1792

Place of Birth: Waterford, Munster, Ireland

Date of Death: 10-Sep-1842

Profession: explorer

Nationality: Ireland, Australia

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Captain William Hobson (26 September 1792 – 10 September 1842) was a British Royal Navy officer who served as the first Governor of New Zealand.
He was a co-author of the Treaty of Waitangi.Hobson was dispatched from London in July 1839, with instructions to take the constitutional steps needed to establish a British colony in New Zealand.
He was sworn in as Lieutenant-Governor in Sydney (under George Gipps) and arrived in New Zealand on 29 January 1840. On 5 February 1840, Hobson met with Maori chiefs at Waitangi, where they signed a treaty by which the chiefs purportedly voluntarily transferred sovereignty to the British Crown in return for guarantees respecting their lands and possessions and their rights as British subjects.
Three months later, Hobson proclaimed British sovereignty over the islands of New Zealand.
He also selected the site for a capital in the North Island, which he named Auckland. In May 1841, New Zealand was constituted as a separate Crown colony, with Hobson promoted to Governor and Commander in Chief.
In his final months Hobson was dogged by poor health which left him detached from political affairs.
He died in office in September 1842.