HEMPLEMAN, GEORGE (1799-1880) was born at Altona, Schleswig-Holstein. He came to New Zealand in 1835 as master of the brig Bee and established a shore whaling station at Piraki, Banks Peninsula, which for some years was fairly profitable. He enjoyed the protection of Taiaroa, but suffered much from the depredations of Tuhawaiki and other chiefs who visited the bay. His treatment of the natives was uniformly severe, and caused him to be reprimanded by Captain Stanley, of the Britomart.

Hempleman claimed to have made an extensive purchase of land in Banks Peninsula from the natives on 2 Nov 1839. The claim was considered good by Colonel Campbell, but was not substantiated before the commission. He was twice married, first to an English woman in Sydney. He died on 13 Feb 1880 at Akaroa, after a prolonged illness and many disappointments. The Piraki Log, published by F. A. Anson in 1910, is based on Hempleman's diary (now in the Canterbury Museum).

J. Hay; Anson, op. cit.; Andersen; Jacobson; A. Mackay.

Reference: Volume 1, page 206

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