1841 Native Protectorate Department created

In April 1840, while he was recuperating at Waimate, Hobson approached the CMS lay missionary George Clarke to take the position of Protector of Aborigines, initially a temporary position, which he accepted. When the new colony was established in 1841, Clarke filled the position as Chief Protector of Aborigines. Clarke and his staff were also given a second, conflicting, role as land purchasers for the Crown. Hobson was recorded in April 1840 as saying to Clarke: 'It may be necessary to appraise you that, in the discharge of your duties, you may be called upon to make journies into the interior and to negotiate the purchase of lands from the natives.' Although Clarke managed to persuade the Governor to free him of the land purchasing responsibilities, which clearly conflicted with his protective role, his sub-protectors still retained their dual roles. Several sub-protectors worked actively for Māori interests, most prominently the very young George Clarke Jnr, who was an advocate for Māori before Spain's Land Claims Commission and who investigated the Wairau Incident. In 1846, Governor George Grey, suspicious of anyone, especially missionaries, who exercised influence over Māori apart from himself, disbanded the Native Protectorate and appointed a Native Secretary to implement his instructions.