Henry Sewell was a 19th-century New Zealand politician. He was a notable campaigner for New Zealand self-government, and is generally regarded as having been the country's first premier, having led the Sewell Ministry in 1856. He later served as Colonial Treasurer (1856–1859), as Attorney-General (1861–1862), and twice as Minister of Justice.
Sewell c. 1872
Henry Sewell in 1856
Advertisement of Henry Sewell, published in the Lyttelton Times on 7 January 1860
Prime Minister of New Zealand
The prime minister of New Zealand is the head of government of New Zealand. The incumbent prime minister, Christopher Luxon, leader of the New Zealand National Party, took office on 27 November 2023.
Christopher Luxon reads the oath of allegiance, 27 November 2023
Pictured in 2017, the then-Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (foreground, left of centre) chairs her first meeting of Cabinet, wherein government policy is formulated.
Premier House in Wellington is the prime minister's residence.
Henry Sewell, regarded as New Zealand's first premier