Frederick Edward Maning

Who was Frederick Edward Maning?

Frederick Edward Maning was a notable early settler in New Zealand, a writer and judge of the Native Land Court. He published two books under the pseudonym of "a Pakeha Maori."

Maning was born in Johnville, County Dublin, Ireland, the eldest son of moderately wealthy, Protestant Anglo-Irish parents. His father, Frederick Maning, emigrated to Van Diemen's Land in 1824 with his wife and three sons to take up farming. Young Maning became a skilled outdoorsman, and built up the physical strength to match his six foot, three inch stature. In 1829, his father became a customs officer in Hobart and moved there with his family. It is quite likely that Maning participated in the infamous Black Line and at least witnessed aspects of the Black War. He reportedly did not speak of this period much in his later life. It is possible that these incidents may have contributed to his decision to leave Hobart. By 1832, Frederick had left home to manage a remote outpost in the north of Tasmania. Soon after, Frederick decided to pursue his fortune in New Zealand.

Maning arrived in the Hokianga area at age 22, on 30 June 1833, and lived among the Ngā Puhi Māori. With Maning's physical skills and great stature, as well as his considerable good humor, he quickly gained favor with the tribe. He became known as a Pākehā Māori and his arrival in New Zealand is the subject of the first chapters of his book Old New Zealand.