James Carroll

Who was James Carroll?

Sir James Carroll, KCMG, known to Māori as Timi Kara, was a New Zealand politician of Irish and Ngāti Kahungunu descent. Beginning his career as an interpreter and land agent, Carroll was elected to the Eastern Maori seat in 1887. He was Colonial Secretary from 1895. He was the first Māori to hold the cabinet position of Minister of Native Affairs, which he held between 1899 and 1912. He was held in high regard within the Liberal Party and was acting prime minister in 1909 and 1911.