The document summarizes the establishment of James Busby as Britain's representative, or Resident, in New Zealand in the 1830s. It describes how northern Maori chiefs petitioned Britain for protection and friendship. In response, Britain appointed James Busby as their Resident in 1833 to act as a liaison between Britain and New Zealand and to help establish order. Busby's responsibilities included catching escaped Australian convicts, protecting British and Maori interests, promoting British influence, mediating disputes between tribal chiefs, and dealing with criminal activity.