<Table> <Tr> <Td> Dominion of New Zealand </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> Dominion of New Zealand </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <P> The Colony of New Zealand was a British colony that existed in New Zealand from 1841 to 1907 . Originally created as a Crown colony, the power of the British government was vested in a governor . The colony was granted self - government in 1852; after the first parliament was elected in 1853, the 1852 Constitution was inaugurated . The first responsible government of New Zealand was formed in 1856 . The Colony of New Zealand had three capitals: Old Russell (1841), Auckland (1841--1865) and Wellington (after 1865). </P> <P> In 1907, the colony became the Dominion of New Zealand, with a more explicit recognition of self - government within the British Empire . </P>

When did new zealand become a british colony