 The war was the first overseas conflict to which New Zealand committed troops.Although the New Zealand blue ensign became the country's national flag, the Union Jack, the flag of Great Britain, continued to be widely used (the medals awarded at the conclusion of the war featured the flag of the United Tribes of New Zealand).The formation of the Liberal Party came after the victory of liberal-leaning members of parliament, led by John Ballance, at the 1890 general election

The attempt by Harry Atkinson and other members of the previous government to "stack" the Legislative Council against the new government backfired on them.