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Story: He Whakaputanga – Declaration of Independence

Europeans involved in the declaration: William Colenso

Europeans involved in the declaration: William Colenso

This photo shows William Colenso around the 1860s. In 1835 Colenso was involved with James Busby and Henry Williams in drawing up the Declaration of Independence. 

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library

Reference: 1/4-003097-F

by John Nichol Crombie

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Basil Keane, He Whakaputanga – Declaration of Independence – The contents of the declaration, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/35122/europeans-involved-in-the-declaration-william-colenso (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Basil Keane, published 28 May 2012.