Walter Mantell

Background

Mantell was born in Lewes, East Sussex, England, the son of the geologist Doctor Gideon Mantell.

Career

He arrived in Wellington on the Oriental in 1840. In 1848 Mantell was appointed to the office of commissioner for extinguishing native titles in the South Island. When he was 36 he met Geraldine Jewsbury who was then 44.

He had left New Zealand because he did not feel right about trying to convince the indigenous Māori people to undersell their land.

He returned to England in 1856 and then met Jewsbury. When in New Zealand, the Maori people called Mantell "Matara" (meaning chief in Māori) because they had a difficult time pronouncing his name.

Jewsbury used it as a nickname for Mantell. When Mantell was in England he had difficulty finding work.

He became restless at home as well as a hypochondriac.

Jewsbury encouraged him to write for the Westminster Gazette or to write a novel about New Zealand. Mantell eventually became tired of Jewsbury"s persistent advice. Jewsbury, however, wanted what was best for Mantell and felt deeply attached to him.

She once proposed marriage to Mantell in a letter, but he declined her offer.

He then returned to New Zealand. He represented the Wallace electorate from 1861 to 1866, when he retired.

He was the Minister of Māori Affairs in 1861 and 1864-1865, and Postmaster-General briefly in 1862. From 1866 until his death he was on the New Zealand Legislative Council.

He died in Wellington on 7 September 1895.

Mantell is commemorated in the names of the North Island brown kiwi Apteryx mantelli and the North Island takahē Porphyrio mantelli.

Achievements

• He was a founder and first secretary of the New Zealand Institute, and discovered and collected moa remains. By 1859 Jewsbury had ceased trying to win his love.