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Story: Self-government and independence

Flying to Auckland

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Flying to Auckland

New Zealand's rugged topography made it hard to travel between provinces, leading Governor Grey to promote provincial government in the colony, overseen by a central government in Auckland. It took nine weeks for South Island members to reach the first sitting of Parliament in 1854. This cartoon, titled 'Almost the Only Way', lampoons the situation, suggesting that next time Dunedin politician William Cargill should use a broomstick to get to Parliament.

Using this item

Hocken Collections, University of Otago

Reference: Acc 7,733

by James Brown

Permission of the Hocken Collections Uare Taoka o Hakena, University of Otago, must be obtained before any re-use of this image. Further information may be obtained from the Library through its website.

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How to cite this page

W. David McIntyre, Self-government and independence – New Zealand Constitution Act 1852, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/cartoon/32919/flying-to-auckland (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by W. David McIntyre, published 23 March 2012.