1852 First NZ Parliament excludes Māori

The Constitution Act 1852, which set up New Zealand's parliamentary system, suggested some form of temporary local self-government for Māori. Section 71 provided that "Native districts could be declared wherein the laws, customs and usages of the aboriginal or native inhabitants … should for the present be maintained for the Government of themselves, in all their relations to and dealings with each other…". Grey did not, however, declare any Native Districts, arguing that the "amalgamation of races" was proceeding well, through trade and through the mission schools. In the administration of justice, Grey did provide for the appointment of chiefs as salaried Māori "assessors" and police to assist the Resident Magistrates, and in practice, the joint administration did allow for a measure of practical recognition of Māori values and customs. However, since the right to vote was based on individual property ownership, Māori who possessed their land communally were almost entirely excluded from voting for Parliament. "Amalgamation" with settler society was still believed to be the only future for a race thought otherwise to be doomed. But in many important respects, notably in the national parliament and in the provincial assemblies which were also established at this time, Māori were not included in the new governing institutions. Well aware of the settlers' hunger for land, they became increasingly anxious for their future.