(1823–98).

Maori chief.

A new biography of Te Rangihiwinui, Te Keepa appears in the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography on this site.

Te Rangihiwinui Kepa was a chief of Putiki, Wanganui, and the son of Rere-o-Maki and Tunguru. Before the outbreak of the Maori Wars on the west coast (1864–69), he served in the Police Force and later acted as mail courier between Wanganui and Wellington. In 1864 he was appointed native assessor to the Rotorua district Maori Land Court. When war broke out in the same year, Kepa received a commission as ensign in the native contingent. He was present at the Moutoa Island battle in 1864, with Sir George Grey at Weraroa (1865), and at Pipiriki. In 1865 he took part in the operations around Opotiki after Volkner's murder. In 1867–68 he served under Colonel McDonnell in Taranaki, and in 1869 distinguished himself on the west coast with Whitmore.

One of Kepa's outstanding actions was at Moturoa on 7 November 1868 when, at the head of a small force of warriors from his tribe, he covered a flank of the retreat and assisted in the removal of the wounded, although exposed to a very heavy fire at short range. In the following year he again displayed great gallantry in conducting the pursuit of Titokowaru's followers after their defeat at Otautu on 13 March 1869, hanging on their rear, and constantly harrassing them during several days in dense bush. His force on that occasion – so states the official report – “was composed entirely of volunteers, several officers and many men of the Armed Constabulary having volunteered to follow this distinguished chief, besides the members of his own tribe”.

For these deeds Kepa was awarded the New Zealand Cross on 20 September 1876. He was also a recipient of one of Queen Victoria's Swords of Honour. Kepa served in the campaign against Te Kooti and was present at the Tapapa engagement, where he captured all Te Kooti's horses, and at Porere. After the war Kepa was Government Land Purchase Officer at Wanganui but he soon lost favour with the ministry when he and Kawana Hunia, to a certain extent trading on Kepa's war record, laid claim to a portion of the Horowhenua Block.

Kepa died on 15 April 1898.

Te Rangihiwinui Kepa is not to be confused with Constable Henare Kepa Te Ahururu, of the Armed Constabulary, who also won the New Zealand Cross for a magnificent deed of valour at Moturoa Pa.

by Walter Hugh Ross, Journalist, Taupo.

• Roll of the New Zealand Cross (MS), Turnbull Library
• New Zealand Wars (2 vols.), Cowan, J. (1955)
• Defenders of New Zealand, Gudgeon, T. W. (1887).

(?–1837).

Explorer and trader.

A new biography of Kent, John Rodolphus appears in the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography on this site.

No ship's captain better knew the New Zealand coasts in the 1820s and early 1830s, or was better known on those coasts, than John Rodolphus Kent. From 1820 to 1825 he was employed by the New South Wales Government as master of the vessels Prince Regent (schooner), Mermaid (cutter), and Elizabeth Henrietta (brig). When Prince Regent was attached as tender to HM Storeships Dromedary and Coromandel during their New Zealand cruise in 1820, Kent examined many harbours in the kauri-growing area, his crossing of the Hokianga bar in late March marking the opening of that harbour to European shipping and trade. In the first half of 1821 he assisted in establishing the New South Wales settlement of Port Macquarie, and in October left Port Jackson in Mermaid, Prince Regent sailing in company under his command. In the course of a 15 months' voyage he visited Tahiti, Honolulu – where he delivered Prince Regent to the Hawaiian king – and Fanning Island. In 1823 and 1824 he made several exploratory flax-gathering cruises round the New Zealand coasts for the New South Wales Government in Mermaid and Elizabeth Henrietta, retaining command of the latter vessel until the end of 1825.

He then left the colonial Government service. As master of the brig Elizabeth and then of the Emma Kemp, cutter, and Governor Macquarie, brig, he traded between Port Jackson and New Zealand with the occasional speculative voyage to the Pacific Islands. Seal skins from the southern coasts, spars from Hokianga, flax and pork and potatoes wherever a few tons were offering, Kent shipped them all across the Tasman for his Sydney employer, Francis Mitchell. He had a shore base at Koutu Point, Hokianga (where early in 1828 he was joined by some of the first New Zealand Company settlers), under the protection of the Ngati Korokoro chief Moetara, with whose sister he formed an alliance. But at the end of the decade Kawhia supplanted Hokianga as his principal New Zealand port of call. Assisted by a group of flax agents whom he established in the area, Kent was the chief supplier of arms to the Waikato tribes, who congregated at Kawhia to trade with him.

His domestic arrangements at Kawhia, as well as his commercial activites, brought Kent into close personal contact with Te Wherowhero, and in 1831 his wife Tiria (sometimes called Amohia) and her kinsman Te Wherowhero accompanied him on a visit to Manukau in the Tranmere, Captain Smith. He later took over command of the Lord Liverpool, trading between Port Jackson and New Zealand as before, and in late 1833 was engaged as trading master for HMS Buffalo's New Zealand cruise.

Following Te Wherowhero's return to his own tribal territories, Ngaruawahia became the centre of Kent's flax-trading activities until his death at Kahawai, on the Manukau, on 1 January 1837. His adoptive tribe, who remember him as Amukete, buried him in a wahi tapu on Te Toro promontory at the mouth of the Waiuku channel.

by Ruth Miriam Ross, School Teacher and Authoress, North Auckland.

• O.L.C. files (MSS), Native Land Court Minute Books (m/fm), National Archives
• James Hamlin Journal (MS), Hocken Library
• Ten Months' Residence in New Zealand, Cruise, R. A. (1957)
• Nine Months' Residence in New Zealand, Earle, A. (1909)
• Letters and Journals of Samuel Marsden, Elder, J. R. (1932)
• Historical Records of Australia, Watson, F. (1914–25).

Seven breeds – English Setters, Gordon Setters, Irish Setters, Pointers, German Shorthaired Pointers, Retrievers, and Spaniels – are classed as gun dogs and a separate national body superintends the 14 clubs specialising in these. This is the Dominion Gun Dog Trial Association, which was formed in Christchurch in 1935. Although the Association is represented on the Kennel Club's executive, it is fully autonomous, and conducts its own competitions and national championships.

*Imported

Although dog shows had been staged in each of the main centres before 1886, the first under the auspices of the Kennel Club was held early in 1887 at the Garrison Drill Shed, Christchurch. No national show was held until 1955, since when it has become an annual event. In the interim shows were staged in the various districts. The principal trophies awarded at the national shows are: the Wade Memorial Cup (best dog or bitch in the show); Anne Clarke Memorial Cup (best dog or bitch under 18 months); Galway Cup (best dog or bitch under 12 months). In addition to these, since 1964 a Dog of the Year title has been awarded to the dog which wins the most championship prizes at provincial or district shows during the year. Although no trophy is awarded, the following dogs have qualified since 1955:

As in England, New Zealand dog fanciers are interested either in breeding their dogs to a previously formulated breed standard or training their dogs to be obedient to commands. The New Zealand Kennel Club, which controls the dog fancy in this country, was inaugurated at Christchurch on 5 November 1886, when representatives of various show committees formed its first executive. In 1905 the club's headquarters were moved to Wellington, where they have remained ever since. There are now 37 all-breed associations with some 5,500 members, affiliated to the national body. In addition, a number of specialist clubs and the Dominion Gun Dog Trial Association have status as associate members.

The New Zealand Kennel Club is governed by a president and an executive elected annually by delegates from the affiliated associations. Of the seven executive councillors, four must reside in the North Island, and three in the South. The Dominion Gun Dog Trial Association has one representative on the executive of the Kennel Club. Since 1960 the New Zealand Kennel Club Gazette has been its official organ.

The functions of the New Zealand Kennel Club closely resemble those of its English and Australian counterparts. Primarily, it is responsible for adopting standards for the various breeds of dogs and for formulating uniform rules for competitions throughout the country. Since 1886 the New Zealand Kennel Club has maintained a national register of pedigree dogs of all breeds and over 80 of the 107 breeds recognised are represented. Between 5,000 and 6,000 new pedigree dogs are registered with the New Zealand Kennel Club annually.

(1835–1920).

Runholder, provincial politician, and civil servant.

Walter Kennaway was born in Exeter in 1835, the son of William Kennaway, of The Shrubbery, Exeter, who was three times Mayor of that city. Walter and his brother, Laurence James, came out in the Canterbury, arriving on 31 October 1851. Their father had bought a land order for 100 acres which they selected on the south bank of the Heathcote River near the Ferry Road. They called this The Barton. One of the brothers farmed it while the others used it as a refuge from the rigours of back-country life.

The Kennaway brothers, of whom not less than five visited New Zealand, made frequent trips to England, and it is impossible to disentangle them with certainty. The Kennaways and F. W. Delamain took up Alford Station, in the forks of the Ashburton, in partnership. The partnership was dissolved in 1860 and Delamain retained the station while the Kennaways kept two southern stations, Opawa and another, later known as Rollesby; they added to them a big station called Clayton which they stocked in 1861 and where they lost most of their sheep in 1862. Walter and Laurence returned to England in 1863 and Walter married there in 1864 Alicia, E., daughter of J. E. Jones, by whom he had four sons and three daughters.

Walter must have spent more time in Christchurch than in the back country. He represented Mt. Cook in the Provincial Council from 1867 to 1870 and Seadown from 1870 to 1874. He represented North Canterbury in the General Synod in 1868, was chairman of the Heathcote Road Board in 1869, and a committee member of the Canterbury A. and P. Association.

When Jollie's executive resigned in 1870, Walter Kennaway succeeded in forming a new one, in which he was Provincial Secretary and in charge of Public Works; the other members were Alfred Cox, John Evans Brown, John Hall, and W. B. Tosswill. This was very much a squatters' executive but it lasted a good deal longer than most because the price of wool was rising, land sales were booming, and the Government had plenty of money to spend – hence there was less discontent with those in office than usual. Roads and railways were pushed forward, the non-sectarian education ordinance was drafted, and Canterbury College, Lincoln College, and the Canterbury Museum were all founded. The matter of John Marshman and the Canterbury railways finally led to his defeat. Marshman, a strong personality, had his own way completely with the railways and treated Kennaway's directions with contempt, and he had the full support of Rolleston. Finally Kennaway moved that the engagement of Marshman be terminated; he should have dismissed him long before. With the voting 15 on either side, the Speaker gave his casting vote against the motion, explaining later that he considered it purely a matter of administration. Kennaway had no other course open than to resign and this marked the end of his career in Provincial administration. He had been an original Governor of Canterbury College and a Commissioner of Crown Lands.

In 1874 Kennaway became secretary to the New Zealand Agent-General in London, a position which he filled for the next 35 years. In 1886 he was a commissioner for the Colonial and Indian Exhibition in London. In 1889, for his services to the Exhibition in Paris, he was made an officer of the French Academy and in 1891 was created a C.M.G. He retired in May 1909 and was knighted. Haast described him: “… in your old age, with your somewhat hooked nose and white beard, you looked like a venerable Jewish rabbi … the soul of honour, a shrewd business man with a broad outlook and wise foresight”. Kennaway died on 24 August 1920.

by George Ranald Macdonald, Retired Farmer, Kaiapoi R.D.

• Early Canterbury Runs, Acland, L. G. D. (1951)
• The Life and Times of Sir Julius von Haast, von Haast, H. F. (1948).

(1778–1832).

Early missionary, Magistrate, schoolmaster.

A new biography of Kendall, Thomas appears in the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography on this site.

Thomas Kendall was born on 13 December 1778 in the parish of North Thoresby, Lincolnshire. Little is known of his family beyond his own statements that his mother was a devout woman who counselled her children in religion, and that his father lived to be 93. He was educated at North Thoresby village school, which was kept by the local clergyman, the Rev. William Myers. When about 18 years of age, Kendall went to live near Myers at the latter's new charge at North Somerscote, assisting Myers with his scholars, studying under him, and keeping a small farm of 15 acres. After two years he moved to Immingham as tutor to the children of three gentlemen. Here he met his bride, Jane, with whom after their marriage he returned to his native village, where he set up as a linen draper and grocer. Being in business difficulties, in the year 1805 he bought hops as a speculation and went with them by sea to London. Here he attended an evangelical service at Bentinck Chapel, and was moved by spiritual and material considerations to return home, sell his property, and come to reside in London. For seven years he continued under the influence and instruction of the Revs. Basil Woodd and William Mann, earning his living as a schoolmaster. He was influenced by a missionary report to offer his services to the Church Missionary Society.

Kendall and his family arrived at Port Jackson in New South Wales in October 1813. Here the Chaplain, the Rev. Samuel Marsden, who had long been anxious to implement a decision by the Church Missionary Society that he should organise a mission in New Zealand, arranged that Kendall, accompanied by another lay missionary, William Hall, should go to the Bay of Islands in Marsden's vessel the Active on an exploratory visit. On their return after a memorable voyage lasting from 14 March to 22 August 1814, Kendall and Hall reported favourably on the prospects of the mission. In November 1814 Marsden sailed in the Active for New Zealand with Kendall, Hall, King (another lay missionary), and their families. On 12 November Kendall had been appointed a Justice of the Peace for New Zealand by Lachlan Macquarie, Governor of New South Wales. In due course a missionary settlement was established at Rangihoua on the north side of the Bay of Islands, where the Kendalls were to continue in residence for nine uneasy years.

Kendall's relations with his fellow Europeans in the mission deteriorated rapidly. On the other hand his education enabled him to learn the Maori language, and he acquired considerable influence with the local Maori chiefs. His journals and letters give many details of contemporary Maori life.

Macquarie's appointment of Kendall as a Justice of the Peace for New Zealand was made on the assumption that New Zealand was a British dependency, a view that was later refuted. Since, however, British law operates in principle in respect of British subjects everywhere, and Kendall acted as a Justice of the Peace on a few occasions in informations against British subjects in New Zealand, he may reasonably be regarded as New Zealand's first Magistrate. In the absence of a formal Court or means of enforcement, his powers were for the most part nominal.

On 12 August 1816, Kendall opened New Zealand's first schoolhouse, maintaining a mission school for several years, attended by neighbouring Maori children. Kendall prepared a textbook entitled The New Zealanders' First Book, which was of use to Samuel Lee, the Church Missionary Society's language expert at Cambridge, in preparing a grammar and vocabulary of the Maori language. Kendall's moral character showed a progressive deterioration in New Zealand, attributed in some degree by himself to his removal from a Christian congregation and his exposure to the heathen influences of Maori culture. He was accused by his colleagues of drinking too much, of being on occasion violent in his behaviour, and of neglecting his duties in favour of acting as a trading agent between the Maoris and visiting ships.

In August 1819 the Rev. John Gare Butler arrived as superintendent of the mission. Kendall soon fell out with him, refusing to give up his trading activities, including the procurement of muskets and powder for Hongi Hika and other Maori chiefs. On 2 March 1820 Kendall sailed for England with Hongi and Hongi's nephew Waikato, arriving back in the Bay of Islands on 12 July 1821. During this visit Kendall was ordained, and also conferred with Lee, then a professor at Cambridge, over the publication in 1820 of the Grammar and Vocabulary of the New Zealand Language. Kendall earned the disapproval of the Church Missionary Society and Marsden and Butler by going off on this visit without due permission and leaving his wife and eight children.

Kendall's marital relations were at this time uneasy. After his return to New Zealand he took a Maori girl into his home as a “second wife”. In consequence. Marsden suspended him from the mission, an action which was in due course upheld by the Society, as Marsden confirmed to Kendall by a letter dated 9 August 1823. The Kendalls went to live for a time at Matahui, in the south of the Bay of Islands district, under the protection of the chief Pomare. Incidental references, unfortunately scanty, indicate that Kendall had found out many details of Maori ethnology, including the existence of the cult of lo, a supreme being.

Kendall and his wife were reconciled, and Kendall, in a letter dated 25 July 1824, confessed his past errors to the Church Missionary Society.

Early in 1825 the Kendalls sailed for Valparaiso where, until 1827, Kendall was employed as clergyman and schoolmaster to the local British community. They then migrated to New South Wales, where Kendall received a grant of 1,280 acres in the Ulladulla district. Here he traded in timber, which he transported in a small vessel owned by him. He was drowned in the wreck of this vessel in 1832. His grandson, Henry Clarence Kendall (1841–82), was a well-known Australian poet.

Thomas Kendall's tragedy was that he was projected in New Zealand into circumstances which brought out latent weaknesses of character and so proved his undoing. Kendall, William Hall, and John King were the first resident missionaries in New Zealand. Kendall was the first British Magistrate resident in New Zealand, and the first master of an organised school.

by Charles Andrew Sharp, B.A.(OXON.), M.A.(N.Z.), Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington.

• Kendall Papers (MSS), Hocken Library
• The Letters and Journals of Samuel Marsden, 1765–1838, Elder, J. R. (ed.) (1932)
• Marsden's Lieutenants, Elder, J. R. (ed.) (1934).

(1856–1948).

Educationalist.

A new biography of Kelsey, Lavinia Jane appears in the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography on this site.

Lavinia Jane Kelsey was born in North London on 23 February 1856, the daughter of Thomas Kelsey, a prominent Congregational minister. She was educated at a private school in Hampstead. With her brothers Thomas and Arnold, she emigrated to New Zealand in 1877, settling in Dunedin, where Arnold, later a brother-in-law of William Pember Reeves, opened a music shop. Education soon became her lifetime interest. She began a private school for girls and conducted adult education classes for women. Her most important work, however, was in the realm of kindergarten education. In 1889 she was the prime mover in the foundation of the Dunedin Free Kindergarten movement, for which she acted as secretary and gained a knowledge of techniques from overseas contacts. In 1912 she helped to establish the movement on national lines. Lavinia Kelsey took an active interest in other social and cultural work. She shared in the women's suffrage campaign and, in 1892, was appointed to the committee of the Dunedin Franchise League. She died in Dunedin on 16 June 1948.

The New Zealand kindergarten movement which in its early stages was regarded as a philanthropic cause to help the children of the poor, owed much in its beginnings to the enterprise and knowledge of Lavinia Kelsey.

by Patricia Ann Grimshaw, M.A., Auckland.

• Otago Daily Times, 17 Jun 1948 (Obit). Evening Star (Dunedin), 17 Jun 1948 (Obit).

(1825–66).

Maungatapu murderer.

Thomas Kelly, alias Noon, alias Hannon, was born in Old Street, St. Luke's Parish, London, of poor but respectable Catholic parents, and attended school with Sullivan's younger brothers. He was apprenticed to Duggan, a tailor, where he committed many petty thefts. Transported for seven years for burglary, he was released in 1849, and went to the Victorian diggings where he consorted with Gardiner the bushranger. In 1854 Kelly and his brother, then serving sentences for robbery, were tried for the murder of Marcus, a publican at Oven's diggings, for which Kelly's brother was executed. Kelly came to Otago in 1861 where his subsequent career paralleled that of Burgess. Although a hardened criminal, Kelly lacked emotional stability, and collapsed on being sentenced. He was executed in Nelson Gaol on 5 October 1866, along with Burgess and Levy; Sullivan, the fourth member of the gang, was reprieved.

by Bernard John Foster, M.A., Research Officer, Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington.