WILKINSON, GEORGE THOMAS (1844-1906) was born in England, and arrived in New Zealand in 1864. While employed under Heaphy surveying the confiscated lands in the Waikato, he was fired on by natives who were erecting the fortified position at Orakau. He penetrated as far as Kopua and withdrew to Tauranga. Wilkinson took up land at Waioeka, but was driven off by Hauhau and joined the survey company of engineers under Skeet and Gundry, taking part in the actions at Te Meake, Taumata, Irihanga and Whakamarama. While interpreter to the magistrate on the Hauraki goldfields, he was sent to Te Kuiti to ascertain the feeling of the King natives. In 1878 he was appointed assistant land purchase officer (for Coromandel and Thames), and later principal native officer in Waikato. He had great influence with the disaffected natives, twice prevented Te Kooti from visiting Poverty Bay and assisted materially to pacify the King country, through which he made a tour with Bryce, the Native Minister. Wilkinson was native agent at Alexandra and president of the Maori council at Otorohanga. He died on 4 Feb 1906.

App. H.L.R., reports on native affairs; Gudgeon; Featon; N.Z. Herald and N.Z. Times, 6 Feb 1906.

Reference: Volume 2, page 258

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