Captain William Hobson was a British naval officer and the first Governor of New Zealand. He played a crucial role in the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, which established British sovereignty over New Zealand and aimed to protect the rights of the Māori people. Hobson's leadership helped to lay the foundation for the development of New Zealand as a British colony. Hobson was born in 1792 in Dublin, Ireland, and he joined the Royal Navy at a young age. His career included various naval assignments, and he was appointed to New Zealand after the British government decided to establish a formal presence in the region. He served as governor until his death in 1842, leaving a lasting impact on New Zealand's history.