This was particularly the case in Wellington which, as a New Zealand Company settlement, briefly had its own independent governing council, until Governor Hobson sent his Colonial Secretary, Willoughby Shortland, and some soldiers to Port Nicholson to end any challenge to British sovereignty (the colonists had set up a "colonial council", which Hobson described as a "republic", in March 1840 headed by William Wakefield).
In Wellington, the situation was particularly precarious due to its status as a New Zealand Company settlement. The local government was briefly self-governing until Governor Hobson dispatched his Colonial Secretary and troops to Port Nicholson to assert British authority (the colonists had set up a "colonial council" that Hobson viewed as a threat to British rule, which he described as a "republic", in March 1840 led by William Wakefield).