The Māori people are Polynesians that arrived in New Zealand in the 13th century. It was not until 1642 that Europeans became aware the country existed. The Dutch explorer Abel Tasman was the first European to discover New Zealand, in 1642.
The English navigator James Cook mapped the country in
1769–70. In the 1830s the British government came under
increasing pressure to curb lawlessness in New Zealand, to
protect British traders, and to forestall the French, who also
had imperial ambitions.
In 1840 the British Government decided there was a need for some effective rule in New Zealand and they sent Captain William Hobson - Lieutenant-Governor – with the mission to acquire the Sovereignty of New Zealand, by way of a treaty with the native Maori Chiefs. So, on February 6, 1840 the Treaty of Waitangi was signed at Waitangi in the Bay of Islands. In 1893 New Zealand became the first country to give women the vote, among other liberal reforms.
In 1907, at the request of the New Zealand Parliament, King Edward VII proclaimed New Zealand a dominion within the British Empire, reflecting its self-governing status. In 1947 the country adopted the Statute of Westminster, confirming that the British parliament could no longer legislate for New Zealand without the consent of New Zealand. New Zealand was involved in world affairs, fighting alongside the British Empire in the First and Second World Wars and suffering through the Great Depression
New Zealand is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy, although its constitution is not codified. Elizabeth II is the Queen of New Zealand and the head of state. The Queen is represented by the Governor-General, whom she appoints on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister of New Zealand is New Zealand's head of government consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the Parliament of New Zealand. Since 2008, the position is occupied by John Key.