Waitangi Day

06 February 2025

Happy Waitangi Day to all our Ulster-Scots kin in New Zealand.

The North Island of New Zealand was once known as New Ulster and attracted thousands of Ulster-Scots migrants, who made a great contribution to the nation, including: 

John Ballance: Prime Minister

John Ballance served as New Zealand’s 14th Prime Minister. He was also founder of the Liberal Party – the country’s first formally organised political party. 

From Glenavy, he developed a keen interest in literature and politics from an early age. He later married Fanny Taylor and in 1866 the couple migrated to New Zealand. The following year he founded the newspaper Evening Herald.

Entering politics, one of the roles Ballance held was Minister for Lands in which introduced a popular village settlement scheme which helped to populate many rural areas of NZ. He became Prime Minister in 1891 and would hold the role until his untimely death in 1893. 

William Ferguson Massey: Prime Minister 

Originally from Limavady, WF Massey migrated to New Zealand in 1870. He worked as a farmhand for several years, before acquiring his own farm, and achieved prominence in local life through the local farmers’ club and the Presbyterian Church. 

In 1894, Massey contested a by-election and won a seat in government as an independent. He would go on to serve as the 19th Prime Minister of New Zealand (1912-1925). To this day, he remains the second longest-serving PM in the country’s history. 

Private James Crichton: VC Recipient

Carrickfergus-born, but raised near Blackridge between Glasgow and Edinburgh, Crichton served with the Cameron Highlanders in the Boer War. 

He later emigrated to New Zealand, where he enlisted for service in the Great War in 1914. After four years of action in France he was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery in battle near Crèvecœur in September 1918. 

Despite being wounded in the foot, Crichton advanced with his regiment. Forced to retreat, he personally couriered a message by swimming a river and crossing areas under heavy enemy fire. Rejoining his men, he then defused a series of enemy mines under a bridge by removing their fuses and detonators.

David (Dave) Gallaher: First All Blacks Captain

Born in Ramelton, Co Donegal, Gallaher’s family moved to New Zealand in 1878, originally setting in Katikati. In the 1890s, the family moved to Auckland and it was here that Gallaher started to play provincial rugby. He played 26 representative matches for Auckland and was the captain of the Original All Blacks (often referred to as ‘The Originals’), from 1903 to 1906. 

Gallaher served in the Boer War in the 6th and 10th New Zealand Mounted Rifles. To serve in the Great War, he shaved three years off his age. He was killed during the Third Battle of Ypres on 4 October 1917 and is buried at Nine Elms Cemetery, Poperinge. 

Frances Jane Ross: Educator

Frances’s father came from Ross-shire in Scotland and her mother from County Cavan. In 1886, she was a foundation pupil of Girton College, which had been established by Caroline Freeman (the first female student from the University of Otago to graduate). Frances Ross went on to Otago also, graduating in 1890. The following year she returned to Girton as first assistant before becoming co-principal. Ross was co-principle of a number of education establishments and in 1914 became sole principal of Columba College. A pioneer in women’s education, Ross was an outstanding teacher who combined knowledge and dignity with a sense of fun.

The Ulster-Scots Community Network has produced a publication, Ulster & New Zealand, which delves deeper into these historic connections and influential Ulster-Scots. It can be viewed online here.