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Story: Governors and governors-general

Thomas Gore Browne and Bishop Selwyn

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Thomas Gore Browne and Bishop Selwyn

In 1856, on his own doubtful initiative, Governor Thomas Gore Browne (left) persuaded reluctant ministers to let him retain control of native affairs and defence. This meant he was in the firing line of critics such as Bishop George Selwyn – as illustrated in this clumsily drawn cartoon which appeared in Taranaki Punch in March 1861, as the first Taranaki war came to an end. The demonic shadow behind the bishop shows where the paper’s sympathies lay.

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Reference: ARC2002-538 (Taranaki Punch, 13 March 1861, p. 8)

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How to cite this page

Gavin McLean, Governors and governors-general – Constitutional duties, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/cartoon/33645/thomas-gore-browne-and-bishop-selwyn (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Gavin McLean, published 30 January 2012.