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The New Zealand Wars: A History of the Maori Campaigns and the Pioneering Period: Volume II: The Hauhau Wars, (1864–72)

Colonel J. M. Roberts, N.Z.C

Colonel J. M. Roberts, N.Z.C.

Colonel J. M. Roberts, N.Z.C.

Colonel John Mackintosh Roberts, who comes of an Inverness family, was born in India, and came to New Zealand with his relatives in 1855. The family settled in the Hunua district, South Auckland. In 1861 Roberts was on the Gabriel's Gully gold-diggings and other fields in Otago. In 1863 he joined the Forest Rangers under Captain W. Jackson, and later was a subaltern in No. 2 Company of the Rangers under von Tempsky. He afterwards served in the West Coast campaigns, and was in the severe actions at Te Ngutu-o-te-manu and Moturoa; his gallantry was recognized by the award of the New Zealand Cross for valour in the field. Colonel Roberts led the right wing of Whitmore's force which invaded the Urewera Country in 1869, and later was on continuous active service until the close of the campaigns. He commanded the Armed Constabulary and Volunteer forces in Taranaki during the Parihaka crisis. For many years Colonel Roberts was Resident Magistrate in the Bay of Plenty district.