TUKE, EDMUND (1826-1901) was born in London, the son of the Rev F. Tuke. He arrived in New Zealand in the Cornwall in 1851, and shortly afterwards took up land in Hawke's Bay as a sheep station. When the war broke out he was commissioned as lieutenant in the Napier militia (Jul 1863) and sent by McLean to Otago to enrol military settlers. He returned with a fine body of 150, served for a while under Biggs in Poverty Bay, and was then sent back to Hawke's Bay with a force of 40 men to construct a redoubt on the Ngaruroro to prevent doubtful tribes joining the Hauhau. Under Major Fraser he was present at the fight at Petane where the Hauhau were annihilated. Tuke then proceeded to the Chathams with 60 of the prisoners from Omarunui and a guard, relieving his brother (Major A. Tuke, q.v.) in that duty (Oct 1866). During many months he spent there he saw much of Te Kooti and his fellow prisoners. Promoted captain (Oct 1867), he was recalled in Feb 1868 with part of the guard and retired from the service. When a few months later Te Kooti made his escape Tuke again volunteered, and in the remaining months of the war he served with McDonnell in the Taupo country, chiefly with Renata's force. With a half-caste companion he rode from Tokaanu to Napier in a day and a half with news of the defeat of Te Kooti at Porere. After the war Tuke lived in Napier. He represented Te Aute in the Provincial Council (1863-67); was a member of the Meanee road board (1873), a justice of the peace (chairman of petty sessions), and one of the founders of the Masonic Lodge Scinde. He died on 19 Mar 1901.

Gascoyne; Cowan; Gudgeon (p); Hawkes Bay Herald, 20 Mar 1901

Reference: Volume 2, page 203

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