WARD, ROBERT (1816-76) was born at Sporle, Norfolk. He was a very studious boy, and at the age of 15 was converted. He joined the Primitive Methodist Church, took part in prayer meetings and became a local preacher. Ordained in Mar 1835, he spent nine years in circuit duty in Norfolk. He married (1839) Emily Brundell. In 1844 he was designated by the connection for mission work and appointed to Australia, his destination being changed later to New Zealand. He sailed by the Raymond (3 May 1844) and arrived at New Plymouth on 29 Aug. Ward was a very able preacher, a passionate evangelist, a careful student and a keen observer. In 1844 he opened a small church at Henui and established a day school for native children. He visited several neighbouring pas but owing to the settlers having asked for his services he could not minister to the Maori. In 1847 he visited Wellington to open a church for the Rev H. Green. Three years later, on being summoned to Auckland to open a cause there, he sailed as far as Kawhia in a schooner and, after worshipping with Whiteley, completed the journey overland on foot. In Auckland he opened the first Primitive Methodist Church (16 Mar 1851). He spent nine years there and returned to New Plymouth (1859) to find native affairs very troubled. He saw a good deal of the fighting, in which two of his sons served as volunteers. In 1868 Ward moved to Wellington where he opened churches in Webb Street and Sydney Street. In 1871 he revisited England, returning with a reinforcement of seven clergymen. He established a cause at Christchurch (1871), the church being opened in 1873.

Ward was the pioneer of Primitive Methodism in New Zealand, having opened causes in New Plymouth (1844), Auckland (1851), and Wellington (1847). He died at Wellington on 13 Oct 1876. Three of his seven sons became Methodist ministers (DR FREDERICK WARD, afterwards editor of the Sydney Morning Herald; REV C. E. WARD and REV JOSIAH WARD). Another, ROBERT, was a judge of the native land court, and his son, ROBERT PERCY WARD (1868-1936) was Under-secretary for Justice. Ward's publications included Lectures from New Zealand Addressed to Young Men (1862) and Life among the Maoris of New Zealand (1872).

Wells; Selwyn; Morley; information from Rev M.A.R. Pratt. Portrait: Taranaki Hist. Coll.

Reference: Volume 2, page 234

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