Gilbert Mair

Captain Gilbert Mair (10 January 1843 – 29 November 1923) was a New Zealand surveyor, interpreter, soldier and public servant. He was born in Whangarei, Northland, New Zealand on 10 January 1843, the son of an early trader, also named Gilbert Mair. His brother was Major William Gilbert Mair. Life Raised amongst Maori, he was a fluent Maori speaker. During the attack on Auckland by the Ngāti Maniapoto and the Ngāti Hauā in 1863, Gilbert joined the Forest Rangers under William Jackson, as an ensign or trainee officer. He took part in the Invasion of Waikato against the Kingitanga forces, and became famous in late 1863 for entering into discussions with the rebels during the Battle of Orakau under a flag of truce. The government forces were aware that a number of women and children were in the stronghold and Mair pleaded with the rebels to let them out but they refused and one shot Mair in the shoulder. Mair later became an lieutenant and lead Maori troops during Te Kooti's War between 1868 and 1872 which led to the defeat of Te Kooti's guerillas. Mair was awarded the New Zealand Cross, and a promotion to captain, for his role in an action in February 1870 in which he led a small body of Te Arawa troops and inflicted a significant losses to Te Kooti's forces, killing 20 warriors including two of Te Kooti's two key fighters, Peka Makarini (Peka MacLean) and Timoti Hakopa. In July 1871 Ropata Wahawaha, Tom Porter and Ngati Porou warriors were joined by Mair and Captain George Preece leading a taua (war party) of Arawa. Together they ranged through the Urewera Mountains, subjugating the Tuhoe and forcing them to hand over any fugitives they were sheltering.