East Coast Wars

Gilbert Mair was born at  Wangarei in 1843. When he was young he was often in close contact with Maori through his father’s Kauri gum business and in doing so was able to learn the Maori Language. Mair volunteered to fight when fighting broke out in Tauranga in 1867. He later achieved the rank of lieutenant and in 1869 took a lead role in the campaigns against Te Kooti, in doing so went on to then achieve the rank of captain. Probably what Mair is most well known for is his leadership role in an irregular contingent of loyalist Maori which later became known as the Arawa Flying Column. during this time Mair became especially skilled in guerrilla warfare due to his skills of good initiative and unwavering courage. Later in life he served as a parliamentary interpreter and Government Agent at Tauranga. Gilbert Mair was awarded the NZ cross for gallantry and the colonial medal. He died in 1923.