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Provinces in New Zealand were used from 1841 until the abolition of provinces Act was enforced on 1st of November, 1876. After their abolition, the provinces came to be known as provincial districts. 1841- 1853 The Royal Charter in 1841 established three provinces. This was during the time when New Zealand became a separate colony from New South Wales. The three provinces were
- New Ulster that included the North Island lying north of Patea River.
- New Munster that included part the North Island lying south of Patea River
- New Leister that included the Stewart Island. However in 1846 the British Government passed the first New Zealand Constitution Act that became null and void on the advice of the governor George Grey. The reformed provinces included
- New Ulster that included all of the North Island
- New Munster that included the South Island and the Stewart Island This was for the first time when the provinces were separated from the central government. 1853 to 1876
New Zealand Constitution Act of 1852 established the first 6 provinces of Auckland, New Plymouth, Wellington, Nelson, Canterbury and Otago. Each of the 6 provinces has their own legislature that was known as the Provincial Council. The council was bestowed with the powers to elect its own speaker and superintendent. The act also had a provision for creating a national General Assembly. The assembly consisted of Legislative Council that is appointed by the governor and the House of the Representatives whose members are appointed directly.
The provinces came to existence from 17th of January, 1853. Abolition and replacement
But very soon there was rift between the two parties of with revolving round the concept of centralized government. The centralists supported a strong central government which went against the aspirations the provincialists. The provinces were finally abolished by the Abolition of Provinces Act, 1876. However it was from 1st January, 1877 the provinces ceased to exist.
After the abolition local government was vested in elected boroughs and county councils. The Counties Bill of 1876 created 63 counties out of the old provinces.
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