TUKE, ARTHUR (1831-94) was born at Dulwich, London, the son of a clergyman, and was educated at Tonbridge. During the years 1859-57 he was engaged in London banks. He emigrated to Australia at the age of 19, and obtained employment on the gold escorts, but came to New Zealand before 1860. Tuke first joined the volunteer cavalry corps formed by Captain Gordon in Hawkes Bay early in 1863. He was elected a cornet and for some time had charge of the training and drilling. On the outbreak of hostilities on the East Coast in 1865 he volunteered for service. Under Lieutenant Biggs he was present at the storming of Kairomiromi (3 Aug) and the reconnaissance and capture of Pukemaire (13 Oct). Following Biggs in the forced march inland, he gallantly led his men up the cliff in the rear of Hungahungatoroa. For this he was mentioned in despatches. He was present also at Waerenga-ahika, and in many skirmishes in the Wairoa district.

Tuke then received a commission in the Hawkes Bay militia and in Mar 1866 was sent in charge of Maori prisoners to Chatham Islands. Being relieved by his brother after a few months, he returned to take part in the campaign in the Wairoa, and when his term of service had expired he accepted a commission as sub-inspector in No. 1 company Armed Constabulary (Oct 1867), with which he took part in the operations at Opotiki, Whakatane and the back country. Tuke was again in the field with Whitmore when Te Kooti escaped to Poverty Bay, and he was severely wounded at Ruakiture (8 Aug 1868). He led the native contingent which recovered the bodies of the slain Maori emissaries at Whataroa (Oct). After the Poverty Bay massacre Tuke served as second in command to Westrup. Following the White Cliffs murders he was sent with No. 7 company to Pukearuhe to guard the frontier and command the Taranaki district (to which was also added that of Patea). He was promoted inspector (Jun 1869) and was still in that command when the expedition to Parihaka was decided upon (1881). He had charge of the concentration at Oakura and as second in command to Roberts he led the troops in to arrest Te Whiti and Tohu.

In Sep 1883 Tuke was sent to Kawhia with a company of the Armed Constabulary and he remained there with the post of resident magistrate. He died at Opunake on 11 Dec 1894. He married a daughter of Lieut-colonel C. Stapp (q.v.).

Family information; Gudgeon (p); Lambert, p. 494-8.

Reference: Volume 2, page 203

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