1863 New Zealand Settlement Act

Parliament passed the Suppression of Rebellion Act, which allowed for the introduction of martial law, and the New Zealand Settlements Act which authorised the taking of land from Māori. The intention of the Act was to punish "rebel" Māori by allowing the confiscation of their lands. However, the Act's title disguised this by portraying it as a measure to assist European settlement, particularly by placing military settlers on lands as a type of buffer between Māori and European settlements. Māori considered to be in rebellion were not entitled to compensation, and even "loyal" Māori were first offered monetary compensation rather than the return of their land. Later, the law was amended to allow awards of land, including small areas to surrendered "rebels".