Colonel Wynyard in New Zealand, 1851-1858

Abstract

This thesis is a study of the life of Robert Henry Wynyard, 1802-1864, who occupied a prominent place in the histories of New Zealand and South Africa. His importance comes not from any quality of his own - except perhaps conscientiousness - but from the fact that he happened to be commander of the military forces at crucial times. His stay in New Zealand coincided with a particularly eventful time in our history. He witnessed the successful colonisation of the South Island by the New Zealand Company. He saw the Maoris learning the arts of the pakeha, and vaguely stirring against the intruder. He saw New Zealand change from a crown colony to a country, governing its own internal affairs. In the throes of all these changes, he was not a spectator. He was first an assistant to Grey, then he took Grey's place, himself; and finally he was an assistant to Gore Browne. His story in South Africa is similar. He was an assistant to Grey in his pacification of the Kaffirs, and governed the country twice in Grey's absence. The South African period, 1859- 1862, has received only passing mention as few records are available in New Zealand libraries. Instead I have confined my attention to the period, 1851 to 1858, when Wynyard was an important figure in New Zealand's affairs as commander of the forces, lieutenant governor, superintendent and acting-governor. I shall deal with each of these offices in turn in the following chapters. In this introduction I shall briefly relate the chief events of Wynyard's life, discuss his character, and tell a little about Auckland, the town where he spent most of his time in New Zealand.