The Colony of New Zealand was established in 1840 when the British formally claimed sovereignty over the islands. It was initially part of the New South Wales colony before becoming a separate colony in 1841. The colony was created to facilitate European settlement and manage relations with the indigenous Māori people. Throughout the 19th century, the colony experienced significant growth due to immigration and the development of agriculture. The New Zealand Company played a crucial role in promoting settlement. In 1852, the New Zealand Constitution Act was passed, granting self-governance and establishing a legislative assembly for the colony.