PROVINCES AND TERRITORIES IN NEW ZEALAND

Originally, New Zealand was divided into three provinces, New Ulster{North Island}, New Munster{North Island plus the South Island}, and New Leinster{Stewart Island}, which were under the control of the colonial government of New South Wales.

In 1846 the British Parliament passed the first New Zealand Constitution Act, which was almost totally suspended on the advice of the Governor, which related to the reform of the provinces. The reformed provinces were:

- New Ulster{All of North Island}

- New Munster{The South Island plus the Stewart Island}  

The provinces were separated from the central government for the first time.

Although political powers were envisaged they never became fully implemented and were taken over by the New Zealand Constitution Act of 1852. This established  a semi-federal system of government dividing the country into six provinces-----Auckland, New Plymouth, Wellington, Nelson, Canterbury and Otago.Almost  as soon as they were founded, New Zealand’s Provinces were the subject of political debate. The provinces were finally abolished by the Abolition of Provinces Act 1876, during the Premiership of Harry Akinson. Following the abolition of the provinces, local government was vested in elected borough and county councils.