Background
He was born in Nelson in 1843, a son of Stephen Carkeek, and brother of Frances Ann Stewart (née Carkeek).
He was born in Nelson in 1843, a son of Stephen Carkeek, and brother of Frances Ann Stewart (née Carkeek).
Later he was a civil engineer and land surveyor. He was a Sergeant in the Armed Constabulary at Ohinemutu during the Te Kooti"s War episode of the New Zealand Wars. On 7 February 1870 the force of Arawas under Captain Mair at Ohinemutu was attacked by Te Kooti and his force.
Thomas McDonnell needed to be told of the location of Te Kooti and his force, but Carkeek could not find a Māori willing to go thirty miles through the bush to McDonnell at Tapapa.
He decided to go himself, and a Māori agreed to accompany him. They started at daylight on the 8th, and arrived at Tapapa about 3 pm, after traversing dense bush where they were likely to be surprised by the enemy.
He was an engineer and land surveyor based in Otaki. He died on 24 May 1897 in Wairau Hospital, Blenheim aged 54 years.
He was buried in the Omaka Cemetery, Blenheim with Military and Masonic ceremony.