MACKAY, JAMES (1831-1912) was born in Scotland, and at the age of 13 sailed for New Zealand in the Slains Castle, arriving at Nelson Jan 1845. His father (James Mackay, 1804-75, q.v.) having purchased land at Wakapuaka, they commenced farming there, but soon had difficulty with the Ngati-Tama, who disputed the sale of their land. In the seven years James spent with his father he learned a great deal about stock and farming, and in 1852 he took a run at Cape Farewell and 1,500 acres of freehold land fronting on Golden Bay. While raising sheep and cattle on these properties, he commenced a series of important explorations, the first (in 1856) being to the head waters of the Aorere and the Takaka rivers. He was an intrepid and fearless bushman and, having mastered the Maori language, was able to use natives in his exploration. In 1855 he met Donald McLean (q.v.), who was much impressed with his qualifications. Early in 1857 Mackay, with Maori companions, started from Cape Farewell and walked to the Mawhera (Grey) river, which they ascended for 50 miles. With the chief Tarapuhi, Mackay explored the river higher up; he sounded the bar and ascertained that small vessels could enter, and returned to Nelson (walking along the coast) to show specimens of coal from Brunner's seam and to report that the pakihi lands of the Mawheraiti were suited for pastoral occupation.

In Jan 1858 Mackay was appointed assistant native secretary for the South Island, his first duty being to set apart native reserves. On the resignation of Domett, Brunner and Heaphy he became sole commissioner of reserves and adjusted most of the disputes. When gold was discovered at Collingwood he had to negotiate with the native owners. He settled many disputes on behalf of miners and natives, and in Oct 1858 was appointed warden on the field. In 1859 he was sent to the East Coast to negotiate the purchase of the Kaikoura block. This done, he was sent to acquire the whole of the West Coast from Cape Farewell to Milford Haven. Crossing the divide, he encountered at lake Sumner the Nelson surveyor, John Rochfort, with a party defining the provincial boundaries. The combined party crossed the saddle into the Teremakau by way of the Hurunui and Harper's Pass and then separated, Rochfort proceeding to lake Brunner and the Grey, and Mackay to the Teremakau and the sea. Mackay met with great difficulty in his negotiations owing to the reluctance of the Maori to part with the country from which they derived greenstone, and their anxiety as to adequate reserves. In Aug 1859 he tried, with one Maori, to reach Nelson by way of the Inangahua saddle, but had to return to Greymouth and walked on to the Buller, where he found the cutter Supply and so reached Nelson. He proceeded to Auckland to interview the Governor (Gore-Browne), and in Feb 1860 set out again for the coast fully authorised to agree to the reserves asked for by the Maori chiefs.

Travelling overland to the Maruia plain and the source of the Grey river, Mackay reached Mawhera pa in seven weeks. The schooner Gipsy arrived about the same time with government supplies, and nearly three weeks later Haast, who had also travelled by the Maruia and the Grey, reached the pa. Mackay started with a strong party of Maori and pakeha, and covered a distance of 135 miles to Okarito, where the hui was to be held. Having discussed the sale with the chiefs there, the party proceeded to Bruce Bay (40 miles). From here the travellers returned to Mawhera pa, at the mouth of the Grey, where the deed was signed on 21 May 1860, Mackay signing on behalf of the Government. At the end of 1858, with Major John Lockett, Mackay made an exploration of the headwaters of the Takaka and Karamea, discovering Mts Lockett and Peel and the Diamond lakes. His last expedition on the coast (in 1862) was for the purpose of blazing a track up the Aorere river to the mouth of the Heaphy. On this occasion he walked from Karamea to Westport in one day. Mackay reached Collingwood by way of the Heaphy, previously unexplored, and the Aorere. He left the West Coast in Jul 1863.

On the outbreak of the Waikato war he was summoned to Auckland, and in his capacity of assistant native secretary had charge of the Maori prisoners. His intimate knowledge of the people and their language gave him great influence, and he was sent to the Thames as civil commissioner (May 1864) to assist in settling the natives who had been in rebellion and returned to their homes after Orakau (Mar-Apr 1864). In these negotiations Mackay came into conflict with the senior military officer (Colonel Greer) when he insisted on explaining clearly to the King tribes who wished to surrender that their lands had been confiscated. Greer put him under arrest. On the discovery of gold at the Thames (Jul 1867), Mackay impressed upon the Government his conviction that this providential occurrence would offset the depression which overhung the Colony. In cooperation with the chief Wirope Hoterini Taipari, he negotiated agreements with the Ngati-Tama-Tera, the Ngai-te-Rangi and the Ngati-Maru, which enabled the field to be opened, and in collaboration with miners' representatives he drew up satisfactory rules. As warden and resident magistrate Mackay showed remarkable energy and judgment in his administration, providing in turn for the subsequent rushes at Kauaeranga and Kennedy's Bay. His position was rendered so difficult, however, by the jealousies of the provincial and general Governments, that he tendered his resignation. The Government insisted that he should carry on the duties of the native office, at any rate to the end of the year, and he continued to render useful service as civil agent and commissioner at native gatherings in Waikato and Thames.

In 1869 Mackay intended to oppose Gillies for the superintendency of Auckland, but left the field to Williamson. He was elected to the Provincial Council for Thames in 1870 and again at the end of the year, sitting till 1873. He was then agent for the General Government in Waikato. In 1875 he petitioned against the return of Sir George Grey as M.H.R. for Thames, on the ground that he had already been elected for Auckland City West. The select committee decided against him. In 1879 Mackay was again for a short time resident magistrate and warden at Greymouth. He stood for Auckland City North in 1887, and was narrowly defeated by Cadman for Coromandel. Mackay died on 13 Oct 1912.

Auckland P.C. Proc.; Nelson P.C. Proc. and Gaz.; App. H.R., 1869 A15, 16, 17, 18, 1873 G3, 1876 Il; Parltry Record; Thames Jubilee (p); Reid; O. S. Meads, unpublished thesis on C. Heaphy; Hindmarsh; N.Z. Herald, 23 Feb 1889; Westport Times and Star, 28 Dec 1926; Auckland Star, 29 Dec 1892.

Reference: Volume 2, page 13

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