The 1830s For The Wakefields - Redemption and Preparation

Win friends and influence People

Wakefield's ideas secured the backing of Robert Rintoul, the editor of the Spectator, and it was through this connection that Wakefield, after his release from prison in May 1830, was introduced to a collection of young and reputable intellectuals, including, Lord Durham (see photo), Charles Buller, Sir William Molesworth and a number of other MPs, whom he won over to his views. Later known as the 'colonial reformers', the men in 1830 formed the National Colonization Society, and devoted themselves to pushing officialdom into implementing Wakefield's theories. Lord Durham was to became a very close friend and supporter of EGW, and in 1839 became a Director of the New Zealand Company.

Largely as a result of Wakefield's wire-pulling, the Colonial Office in 1831 abolished free land grants in New South Wales, and a select committee of the House of Commons was appointed in 1836 to investigate the subject of colonial lands. The foundation of South Australia in 1836 likewise owed much to his subterranean influence, as he played a crucial part in the setting up of the promotional body, the South Australian Association of 1833, and in lobbying the government to sanction the scheme in 1834.

Not Forgiven or Forgotten by the Establishment

The establishment, including Prime Minister Melbourne, however never forgave Wakefield for his past misdeeds. He was therefore unable to use colonial reform as a vehicle to enter Parliament, or to take office in almost all the promotional associations he helped to establish, with the one exception being his directorship of the New Zealand Company. Instead he was compelled to exercise power informally and anonymously. Even so this behind-the-scenes role must have granted him much satisfaction because his flair for manipulating and persuading important committees and individuals was extraordinary.

Almost everyone who met Wakefield commented on the fascination of his personality, a possible sinister side to which was his great gift as a mesmerist. Later in New Zealand a political foe, J. E. FitzGerald (your mothers Gr Gr Grandfather), was to say that the only security against Wakefield was to hate him intensely.

Off To Canada - Through the backdoor

In 1838, Lord Durham was appointed as Governor-in-Chief and High Commissioner to Canada, with a mandate to settle its affairs in the aftermath of the rebellions of 1837. Despite the opposition of Prime Minister Melbourne, Durham insisted on taking Wakefield with him, although in an unofficial capacity, as adviser on public lands and emigration. Durham's mission was short-lived, since a clash with the government in London over the extent of his powers brought about his resignation within a few months. However, it is believed that a significant part of Durham's report, recommending self government for Canada, was Wakefield's work.

Opposition from the CMS and the Colonial Office

In between these forays into Canadian affairs, Wakefield and his brothers William and Arthur worked on the plans to colonise New Zealand. In 1837 EGW, with the support of his brothers, played a leading role in the setting up of the promotional body, the New Zealand Association, and engaged in a heated battle with the Church Missionary Society (CMS) and the Colonial Office, who thought colonisation was contrary to the well-being of the Maori.

Presentation to the House of Commons

EGW spoke in glowing terms to a House of Commons committee in 1836: ‘Very near to Australia there is a country which all testimony concurs in describing as the fittest in the world for colonization, as the most beautiful country with the finest climate, and the most productive soil, I mean New Zealand'.


The Wakefield Brothers

Captian Arthur Wakefield RN was, from 1828 to 1833, a senior lieutenant in HMS Rose patrolling the St. Lawrence Gulf and Labrador fisheries. He was the only Wakefield brother to maintain strong christian beliefs throught his life. In 1837 his brother EGW interested him in the projected New Zealand settlement, and in June of that year he accompanied the unsuccessful deputation to Dandeson Coates to enlist the support of the Church Missionary Society.

Arthur, would have come to New Zealand in the "Tory" as the Company's Principal Agent, but shortly before he was due to sail, he was promoted to the command of HMS Radamanthus on which he served in the Mediterranean until 1841, when he retired from the Navy.

Colonel William Wakefield was educated for the Diplomatic Service. He, however, entered the Army, and was for a time in the British Auxiliary Force in Spain. He helped EGW kidnap Ellen Turner, and received a three year prison term for his trouble.

He was appointed commander of the first New Zealand Company expedition. The "Tory" sailed from London on 4 May 1839 with Wakefield as sole and unqualified leader of the expedition. However, he also had a very full and complete set of instructions about their activities in New Zealand. The instructions came under three headings: the purchase of land for the New Zealand Company, the acquisition of knowledge about New Zealand, and preparation for the formation of settlements.

Wakefield was expected to treat the Māori with utmost fairness, to make certain they were fully aware of the nature of the transactions they were entering into. He had to make certain they knew what the Company intended in the long term, the number of settlers to be expected, and the extent of the proposed settlements. He was not to complete any purchase until he was certain that all the vendors were happy with the deal. Furthermore he was instructed to be generous with the goods offered for the purchase.

New Zealand Company Established

With the reconstitution of the association into the New Zealand Company in 1839, the company set about the task of promoting and implimenting EGW's plans and scheme.

Wakefield, probably fearing that the Crown would annex New Zealand to protect Maori interests and shut the company out, organised the hurried dispatch of the company's preliminary expedition to New Zealand on the "Tory" in May 1839.

Source material and additional reading:

Encyclopaedia of New Zealand
Edward Gibbon Wakefield - Wikipedia
Dictionary of New Zealand - Biography
Abductor and Mystagogue - Ged Martin
Lord Durham
William Wakefield
Arthur Wakefield
Wairau Massacre