This paper reflects on the provincial system that existed in New Zealand from 1852 to 1876. I argue that this system is an instance of a core constitutional tradition, namely a pragmatic application of subsidiarity. This subsidiarity is also the hypostasis of the Treaty of Waitangi, both in its English and Māori texts. The resuscitation of subsidiarity as a foundational element of our constitutional design holds the key to our economic prosperity in a globalising world, where the role of the nation state is marginalised. Constitutional economics suggests that the central government should, as a strategic intent, ready local government to function independently, efficiently and effectively. Evolving a strong tradition of local autonomy should be the most sublime of our constitutional aspirations.