Gilbert Mair (trader) - Gilbert Mair Junior

Gilbert Mair Junior

Being raised amongst Maori his son Gilbert was a fluent Maori speaker. During the attack on Auckland by Maniapoto and Ngati Haua in 1863, Gilbert junior joined the Forest Rangers under Jackson, as an ensign or trainee officer. He took part in the Waikato campaign against the rebel 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 shot Mair in the shoulder. Mair later became and officer and lead the hunt for Te Kooti between 1868 and 1872 which led to the defeat of Te Kooti's guerillas. Mair was able to convince Tuhoe ringatu, who had been part of Te Kooti's band, to lead the government forces to Te Kooti's secret camp in the Ureweras. Mair later became a government officer trusted with establishing friendly relationships with Rewi Maniapoto in the 1880s.